AfriPulse
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has warned that his administration will not tolerate lawlessness in the state’s physical development, stressing that no building must rise without a valid planning permit.
The governor, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Egube, gave the charge on Friday at a stakeholder forum organised by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), themed “Planning Permit: The Rebirth.”
Sanwo-Olu cautioned residents and estate managers against obstructing officials enforcing planning laws, describing such actions as dangerous to public safety and Lagos’ aspiration of becoming Africa’s model megacity.
“Sometimes, some of us behave as if freedom is equal to lawlessness,” he said. “But in modern societies, freedom really means being able to predict the behaviour of an environment by complying with the laws in that environment.
“Our administration will not condone disobedience against those we have sent to enforce compliance on behalf of Lagosians.”
He urged residents to view planning permits not as bureaucratic hurdles but as certificates of safety, legitimacy, and long-term value for their properties, noting that Lagos’ prosperity depends on collective responsibility.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, decried the “embarrassingly low” level of approved buildings in the state. He disclosed that many developers still bypass regulatory requirements, exposing lives and property to avoidable risks.
Olumide recounted a recent incident where ministry officials were detained and harassed while attempting to enforce compliance on a five-storey warehouse he described as “a calamity waiting to happen.”
“The law is very clear: there shall be no physical development in any part of Lagos without approval from the planning authority,” he said. “Planning permits are not about punishment; they guarantee safety, protect family heritage, and add economic value.”
In his keynote address, former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde, identified bureaucratic bottlenecks, political interference, and a revenue-first mentality as factors undermining effective development control.
He called for a “rebirth” through a one-stop shop for permits, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and greater transparency to rebuild public trust.
Other speakers, including Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, urged professionals, town planners, architects, and engineers to guide laymen and resist shortcuts that compromise standards.
Traditional leaders and community representatives also appealed to residents to cooperate with officials. Speaking on behalf of royal fathers, Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu noted that building regulations ultimately protect the people, not just the government.
General Manager of LASPPPA, Kehinde Sunday Osinaike, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to simplifying the permit process, making it faster and more transparent.
He stressed that compliance should be seen as an investment in safety and order.
Closing the forum, Sanwo-Olu charged participants to leave with “a renewed determination that no building will rise without proper approval, that compliance will become the norm rather than the exception, and that the rebirth we talk about will lead to a safer and more liveable Lagos.”
Source: Guardian Nigeria | Read the Full Story…
