PHYSICAL PLANNING LAWS: LASPPPA PLEADS WITH BUILT SECTOR PROFESSIONALS TO EMBRACE VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE

In continuation of its sensitization exercise on the importance of building right in accordance with the extant laws, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) has extended its advocacy campaign on voluntary compliance to physical planning laws to residents in the Lekki axis and environs. 

Leading the exercise on Monday to Lekki, Eti-Osa and other neighbouring communities, the General Manager of the Agency, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike, said that the sensitization was a continuation of a similar motorized campaign exercise embarked upon by LASPPPA within and around the Ikeja Division of the State in March 2022. 

Tpl. Osinaike said other divisions of the State would also be visited by officials of the Authority for the sensitization exercise, pointing out that the overall intention of the government is to ensure that physical planning activities are carried out lawfully and in a way that would not endanger the lives and property of the residents. 

The General Manager maintained that voluntary compliance with physical planning laws will help in reducing incidents of loss of lives and property if proper approvals were sought and genuine professionals engaged in construction works. 

He emphasized that it is mandatory for anyone embarking on building construction works to approach LASPPPA and obtain a Physical Planning Permit as the first step before the commencement of construction. 

“After informing LASPPPA of your intention to commence a construction work and upon issuance of a physical planning permit, the applicant will then approach Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for the issuance of a Letter of Commencement after the Agency must have certified that the right professionals would be engaged for the construction works”, the General Manager stated. 

Osinaike, however, warned the public against disregarding laid down processes and procedures stated in the LASPPPA law, stressing that the consequence of non-compliance to obtaining necessary permits could lead to sealing or demolition of property or prosecution of the offender depending on the gravity of the infraction committed. 

He promised that LASPPPA will not relent in sensitizing the populace on engaging professionals in the built sector until everyone toes the line of voluntary compliance. 

Also speaking during the exercise, a Deputy Director with LASPPPA, Tpl. Okuniyi Musa, explained the processes and procedures that must be followed when processing a planning permit and advised applicants for a Physical Planning Permit to visit the nearest District offices of LASPPPA within their areas with all required documents. 

For individuals or Organizations seeking to obtain a physical planning permit for an already existing structure, the Director stated that such applicants would be requested to obtain a letter from a certified engineer to authenticate the livability status of the building and also carry out a non-destructive test on the building among other conditions. 

During the Exercise, some property observed to be in contravention of Physical Planning Permit Laws were served Contravention Notices, while those that had hitherto been served notices but did not regularize were out rightly sealed.