The Lagos State Government has lectured property owners and developers on avoiding undue challenges with planning approvals, urging them to embrace its free planning information service.
This was disclosed in Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos State on Monday by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, during a weekly briefing with senior management staff of the ministry.
According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the ministry, Mukaila Sanusi, the commissioner noted that urbanisation and population explosion had precipitated physical planning challenges, including housing gaps and planning infractions.
Olumide accused property owners and developers of trying to exploit the gaps without doing due diligence with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development before buying lands.
“However, it is disturbing to see people have their planning proposals turned down by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) simply because of the inappropriateness of the proposed uses and similar planning requirements, which would have been resolved by making initial recourse to our planning information service,” the commissioner said.
He explained that the state government, in line with its vision of making Lagos a 21st-century economy as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ agenda, had invested heavily in Operative Development Plans, which designated the appropriate land uses and different approval orders for various areas in the state to bring about organised, orderly, and sustainable development across Lagos.
“In tandem with the above, the government has also established the planning information service, obtainable free of charge either at the Ministry or LASPPPA,” he said.
“All a developer needs to do is to write and request for the service, which will aid the decision to purchase land.”
He added that planning information would remove doubt and assist property owners and developers to act with knowledge and confidence, as the service would adequately spell out the planning details of the land in question, such as its status, permissible uses, and approvable heights, among others.
Olumide enjoined all Lagosians to abide by planning regulations and support the development agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state for the wellness and wellbeing of all.
