Lagos govt warns against illegal property development, to prosecute perpetrators

Lagos State Government has warned against illegal property development in the state, stating that any property developer caught in the act would be duly prosecuted.

Giving the warning on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, who paid an official visit to the Magodo wetland for an on-the-spot assessment, restated the State Government’s zero-tolerance for illegal property development across the metropolis.

He informed that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, being responsible for the maintenance of an orderly, livable and sustainable environment in the State, would continue to implement the “zero tolerance” policy on all illegal physical developments, including the regrettable encroachment of the sensitive/ecological zones.

He said the government was putting up measures to preserve and prevent the misuse or abuse of all Greenbelts, Gorges, Water bodies, Wetlands and other vulnerable natural Landscapes in every part of the State.

Salako, therefore, assured Lagosians that the Ministry would continue to intensify efforts to enhance the sustainability of the environment by maintaining a diligent application of the State’s policies and operational development plans.

The Commissioner directed the sealing of all unapproved developments within the wetland zone and other buildings that exhibited clear signs of internal distress through tilting or cracks thereby raising questions about their structural stability.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Arc. Foluso Adebayo Dipe; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Tpl. Funmi Oshifuye; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Engr. Biola Kosegbe and General Manager, New Towns Development Authority, Tpl. Kunle Aboyeji.