The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Wednesday, sealed 20 buildings at various stages of completion in Isheri-North GRA due to inability of the owners to produce approved planning permits on demand as stipulated in the guidelines issued by the government.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako said the buildings were sealed during a routine compliance monitoring exercise, recalling that the State Government had repeatedly warned that it would not condone illegal building construction as they are inimical to orderly and sustainable development of the State.
“I wish to emphasise that owners and developers should ensure they apply and obtain Planning Permits before construction, make recourse to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for stage certification to certify the building as safe, complete and habitable”, Salako said.
The Commissioner enjoined stakeholders and professionals in the built environment not to view the requirement for Planning Permits from the revenue angle alone, but to see the merit of safety, orderliness and an organised setting engendered by compliance with the Planning Laws of the State, in addition to the prevention of building collapse.
Salako reiterated the need for all property owners or developers to make their Planning Permits available on demand as operatives of the Ministry would continuously monitor all building construction sites and request for the enabling permit issued by the State Government, through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, who also participated in the monitoring exercise, said that the Lagos State Government had taken all necessary steps to further ease the process and timeline for approvals, adding that the 28 days earlier promised for obtaining Planning Permits remains sacrosanct.
He affirmed that the State had upgraded and stabilised the Electronic Planning Permit (EPP) platform for processing approvals, saying that members of the public can utilise the medium to ease the process.
Also , the Christian Friends Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church and the Salad Chops & Events Managers recently joined the league of donors of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), to encourage frontline health workers in the fight against COVID-19.
Receiving the donated items on behalf of the Hospital management, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, expressed his joy at the thoughtfulness of the donors and enjoined more well-meaning Nigerians to support the Government to help fight the pandemic.
He maintained that nothing is too small as contribution or support at this time to battle the global scourge, praying that God would continue to bless and enrich those who have already donated to the cause as well as others that intend to do so.
Earlier, the President of the Society, Mr. Muyiwa Kupoluyi, opined that many people hear the success story of patients being treated and discharged in good health but not much is said about the caregivers who are ensuring these patients are getting the best treatment.
He said that the donation was borne out of concern for the safety of frontline workers who are putting their lives at risk to ensure the health of others.
While stressing that these caregivers should be pampered and protected, Kupoluyi prayed earnestly that all the ‘heroes’ of the pandemic will all come out safe and strong.
In her remarks, Mrs. Olawunmi Omotoyin of Salad Chops & Events Managers said frontline workers require a helping hand as the battle against COVID-19 continues in Lagos State.
She disclosed that this underscores the reason why her organisation came forward to donate some face shields to the Management of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for use by frontline healthcare providers.
