The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has launched enforcement operations to remove illegal structures across the state after the expiration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s amnesty period.
According to an announcement on the agency’s website Monday, the enforcement exercise began in Ogudu GRA, where officials moved in to ensure compliance with Lagos State’s urban planning regulations. The amnesty period, which had been extended to December 31, 2024, was designed to give property owners time to regularize their documentation.
LASBCA Permanent Secretary Gbolahan Oki explained that the enforcement initiative aims to restore order to the state’s physical planning landscape while ensuring resident safety. He emphasized that the Lagos State Government had provided ample opportunity for property owners with unauthorized structures to obtain necessary approvals and comply with building regulations.
“Several notices had been served before this final enforcement action,” Oki stated. “Unfortunately, some residents have refused to comply, and the agency has no option but to enforce actions to reclaim public spaces and prevent building collapses.”
The operation is expected to continue throughout Lagos as the government intensifies efforts to sanitize the built environment. Officials describe the goal as ridding the metropolis of unapproved structures, preventing environmental degradation, and safeguarding residents.
Response to Criticism
When questioned about whether the decision seemed hasty, Oki defended the action, stating that the exercise followed extensive consultations and multiple warnings to defaulters. The agency assured that all affected buildings had been properly marked and issued notices months in advance, with clear instructions regarding compliance requirements.
LASBCA reiterated its commitment to maintaining a well-structured and safe urban environment aligned with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s developmental agenda. The agency warned property owners and developers across Lagos to ensure strict adherence to building regulations to avoid similar enforcement actions.
History of Amnesty Extensions
The current enforcement follows multiple extensions of the amnesty program. In 2024, the state extended the amnesty for owners and developers of existing buildings without planning approvals by three months. Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, had announced the extension, saying, “Considering the high rate of applications since the beginning of the amnesty programme, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the extension of the programme by another three months, starting from August 1, 2024, to the end of October 2024 to allow more people to benefit from it.”
The amnesty program was initially announced in April, providing a 90-day period from May 2 to July 30, 2024, allowing owners and developers of existing structures to obtain planning permits without paying statutory penal fees that would normally be required for buildings erected without proper approvals.
State officials are now urging all property owners across Lagos to take necessary steps to regularize their buildings, as the enforcement drive will continue throughout various parts of the state.
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