The Lagos State Government (LASG) has revealed that about 80 percent of buildings in the Ibeju area of the state do not have official approval, News About Nigeria reports.
This was made known by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who stated that following due process in obtaining approvals for property development is crucial.
“Just last week, Thursday and Friday, myself and the team were in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis and you would agree with me that anybody passing through that corridor would see a lot of estates marked. We went there, and I can tell you that from what we saw, over 80 percent of them do not have approval,” Olumide stated.
Outlining the necessary steps for obtaining approval, he said there is a need for planning information, fence permits, and layout permits.
According to Olumide, acquiring a layout permit requires that the land be zoned appropriately for its planned use.
He said that despite these regulations, many developers have proceeded with construction and advertising without obtaining the necessary approvals.
Olumide expressed concern over the potential consequences for unsuspecting buyers and investors, particularly those in the diaspora.
Jide Odusolu, CEO of Octo5 Holdings, pointed out that the master plan for the Lekki Peninsula was disrupted post-2010 due to rapid development.
He said that developers face challenges in adhering to regulations while dealing with increased infrastructure demands and government taxes.
He said, “The Lekki peninsula had a master plan which was originally launched when Bola Tinubu was the governor and updated under Babatunde Fashola. Almost all large estates along the Lekki corridor, especially those developed between 2000-2008, have approved layout plans. It was obligatory and rigidly enforced by the state government,” Odusolu said.
