Distressed, dilapidated buildings in Lagos to be removed

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to demolish distressed and dilapidated structures in the metropolis.

Speaking, during a presentation, on Tuesday, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Anifowoshe Abiola, reeled out some measures to be taken to that effect by the Akinwunmi administration.

“It is important to note that we would continue to carry out our ministerial responsibilities until every building constructed in Lagos State is fit for human habitation.

“Beyond this, we have put the following measures in place to curb the incidence of building collapse. There is now compulsory integrity test of building and construction materials in conjunction with the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL). We will also ensure identification and removal of distressed and dilapidated buildings.

“We have resolved to remove all illegal and non-conforming buildings, we will inspect and certify various stages of building construction and evaluate all on-going and completed projects,” he said.

Anifowoshe said that his ministry would assist those who have lost their original planning documents. He said the ministry had commenced the issuance of Certified True Copies (CTC) of planning documents such as planning permits and approved layout plans on request.

This service, he said, was rendered by the Lagos State Planning Information Centre (LASPIC) and it provides an opportunity for members of the public to update their property documents.

“In order to ensure that the public is well informed on land use designation in different areas, and to promote orderliness in development pattern, the Ministry received and processed applications for planning information. This service is delivered free-of- charge to the members of the public.

“During the period under review, 202 requests for planning information were received. 166 have been responded to, while 36 are at various stages of processing. In a bid to ensure that appropriate sites for Private and Government projects were identified and selected, the Ministry has continued to collaborate with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in identifying appropriate sites for their use.

“In order to keep up with the pace of the transformation in service delivery and e-governance policy, as well as embracing global best practices in the way of doing business, I am happy to introduce the e-Planning Permit platform to you which would accelerate Planning Permit processing.

“With this development, application for planning permit can now be made on-line by the professionals and members of the public, irrespective of their location. The online permit system allows users to upload design drawings and other prerequisites.

“It is germane, at this point, to mention that an inventory of abandoned buildings in the state is being compiled. Recently, the Ministry published the first batch of these abandoned buildings and have, since, issued a 90-day ultimatum to owners to take possession or be ready to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Anifowoshe said that in shaping the pattern and scope of the physical growth of Lagos State as a region, the Ministry had, at various times, taken into consideration spatial order, design, land use and infrastructural proposals for either immediate or future development.

According to him, virtually all areas of the state has had one form of development plan or the other except Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikorodu and Epe. He said the Ministry had awarded the contract for the preparation of Master Plans for the above- mentioned areas.

The Commissioner said when these Master and Model City Plans were completed and integrated into existing Development Plans of other axis of the state, Lagos would have a comprehensive Master Plan.

Similarly, he said that the operative Ikeja Model City Plan, which became operational in year 2010, was currently being prepared for review. The review is expected to be undertaken every five years. He said the review when completed would accommodate changes that were not anticipated in the existing plan. It would optimise government resources on development with satisfying returns socially and economically.

“In order to ensure that information about the Master Plans and Model City Plans were properly documented for the use of professionals in the built environment and the public, the Ministry has so far, successfully, published six Model City Plans – namely those of Alimosho, Apapa, Agege/Ifako–Ijaye, Mainland, Ikoyi-Victoria Island, as well as Badagry and Lekki. The publication provides first-hand information about the development pattern and land use in each of the areas mentioned,” he said.