Dipo Olowookere
More buildings have been sealed in the highbrow Banana Island in Ikoyi Lagos by the state government over violation of building permits.
A statement from the government said a total of 19 properties were affected, explaining that the action was in furtherance of the ongoing efforts to control physical development and engender liveable and sustainable environment in the metropolis.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Idris Salako, who led the enforcement exercise, stated that the government would not sit by and allow people to violate planning laws to the detriment of the wellness and wellbeing of the society through disorderly, unorganised, unapproved and illegal developments.
Since the exercise commenced some days ago, a total of 34 buildings across the state have been sealed by government for lack of building permit and other infractions of the physical planning law.
The Commissioner stressed that government would not relent in its effort to enforce compliance with the planning laws of the state in the interest of the sustainable growth and development of Lagos.
Mr Salako decried the encroachment on the right of way and alignment of the proposed Lagoon Highway by some developers and vowed to nip the unhealthy development in the bud.
He also warned owners and developers, who are fond of engaging in contravention of the law, to desist from such illegal practice or face the wrath of the law.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, cautioned developers to desist from breaking government seals on property that had been sealed for infractions as such illicit acts constitute an affront to the authorities and would be met with stiff penalties.
Mr Ayuba also reiterated that the state government would not tolerate any attack or obstruction of its officials while on lawful assignments.
The special enforcement activity, a joint exercise between the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Special Operations Team in the Governor’s Office, continues next week.
