he Lagos State Government on Wednesday revealed that an alarming 75% of buildings within the state have been constructed without the necessary approvals, pledging decisive measures to address the issue.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, at a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos, expressed concern over the significant number of unapproved constructions and outlined strategies to ensure compliance with existing regulations.
The briefing was organized to announce the upcoming Physical Planning Summit, set for October 15 and 16 at Eko Hotels, Lagos. The summit will gather stakeholders from both public and private sectors to discuss strategies for improving the state’s development.
With the theme “Thinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity,” the summit aims to tackle the pressing challenges in physical planning facing Lagos.
Olumide stated, “Our current building approval rate in Lagos is under 25%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 18 to 28%, with the highest being 32%.”
He emphasised the importance of securing approvals for every building, likening the necessity of approval to every person having a name.
He highlighted that certain buildings are earmarked for demolition due to non-compliance with regulations, including structures built without approval, those located under high-tension power lines, and buildings constructed on drainage paths or gas lines.
“We are committed to addressing these challenges head-on,” Olumide remarked. “The summit will serve as a platform to develop actionable plans to improve compliance and enhance the urban landscape.”
As Lagos continues to grow as a megacity, Olumide noted the urgent need to rethink urban planning strategies.
With the state’s land area fixed at 3,577 square kilometers—75% of which is water—rapid population growth presents significant stress on land and infrastructure.
“We must devise effective plans to manage our available land resources,” he added.
“The summit will shift our approach from a bottom-up to a higher-order strategy.”
Olumide emphasised the importance of community engagement, citing the Badagry masterplan as an example.
“We need to consult with local communities, particularly fishermen, to understand their challenges and determine how we can support them through adequate facilities.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of assessing educational needs within the community, questioning whether residents prefer private or public schooling options.
“The plans we develop should be a shared responsibility between the government and the community,” he asserted, noting that the timeline for these plans spans 10 to 20 years.
Source: https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2024/10/09/75-of-buildings-in-lagos-lack-approval-as-lasg-plans-major-reforms/
