LASG URGES NITP TO ADHERE TO PROFESSIONALISM
The Lagos State Government has advised the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to insist on adherence to professionalism by its members to raise the bar of compliance with Planning and Building Regulations in the State.
The State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye stated this recently when the NITP Executives paid a visit to his office at Alausa recently.
Ogunleye said there was a need for improved compliance to take Lagos State to the height envisaged by the current administration in its urban development drive.
He reminded them of the six-month grace period given by the Ministry for Developers and Property Owners to regularize their documentation by obtaining planning permits, adding that during the period penalties payable on such developments that were embarked upon without the requisite permits would be waived.
The Commissioner noted that areas that are most affected for regularization include Ikorodu, Alimosho, Aboru, AIT, Agbelekale, Abule Egba, Alagbado, Ikola, Ojodu/ Berger, Oke-Ira, Shasha, LASU Acquisition, Ojo Military Acquisition, Ishashi Water Works Acquisition, Satellite and Festac Town.
Others include the recently released Military Acquisition in Badagry /Ajido, FAAN Acquisition at Isolo, Ajah 300 hectares Acquisition, Chagouri and Chagouri Acquisition at Awoyaya and Eko Atlantic City.
He revealed that under the new thrust, “The Lagos State Government is offering all owners and developers an opportunity window to regularize or get Planning Permit within the six-month grace because Government realized that people were building because they had no Land Documents to process their Building Plan Approval”.
Ogunleye added that a huge number of buildings had been constructed in the past without necessary approval and documents, stressing that now Provisional Approval could be obtained through a less stressful process.
He said, “The law states clearly that you cannot construct in Lagos State without obtaining Building Plan Approval, so with the Provisional Approval, you can start constructing while you process your Registered Title. After obtaining the Registered Title, you are expected to come back for the Final Approval. The Six Months window when penalties will be waived commenced on 1st of March and would lapse on 31st August, 2018. Defaulters will be prosecuted.”
Expressing his concern about the rate of illegal developments in the State, he promised to partner with NITP to face the challenges in terms of Infrastructure in Lagos State, saying the average developer does not want to conform to the planning permit regulations.
Responding to issues raised by the team on the need for Government to engage Stakeholders more before the implementation of Government policies such as Review of Town Planning Regulations, Decentralization of the Planning Approval, Issues on Layout, Development Plans, Model City Plan and Master-plan amongst others, Ogunleye reiterated that the State Government runs an All-Inclusive Government and will always carry stakeholders along on policy issues.
He allayed the fears of the visiting team about the progress on the Town Planning Regulations, saying that the reason for the delay is due to some dynamic inputs recently added to make it more robust and also emphasised that Plans at all levels are reviewed when due to make Lagos State safe, livable and sustainable.