The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) says its removal of shanties and other unapproved buildings at Oworonshoki followed due process as the residents ignored all warnings.
Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State told newsmen during an interaction in Lagos on Thursday evening that the affected structures had been served demolition notices.
He said that the residents were given enough time to obtain planning permits during the state government’s amnesty programme for unapproved buildings.
According to him, the amnesty began with a 90-day window from May 2024 to July 2024 and was extended to October 2024 and finally to December 2024.
Oki said: “Only two or three persons in that community took advantage of the amnesty, and those buildings were not demolished. Others ignored all warnings.”
He added that LASBCA officials, together with community leaders and traditional leaders, engaged the residents through meetings and sensitisation before the demolition.
Oki said that most of the demolished buildings were distressed, blocking drainage channels and posing security threats.
He added that some tilted backwards and had visible cracks or were only patched with paint to look safe.
According to the permanent secretary, obtaining a planning permit now takes 10 days to 15 days once the necessary documents are submitted.
He noted that the office issuing the permit had been decentralised to all local government areas.
About the Author
