The Lagos State Government has urged property owners within the Federal Government acquisitions to obtain valid development permit to prevent their buildings from being sealed or demolished.
Mr Funmi Osifuye, General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos State.
Osifuye said that the validation was necessary to prevent disruption or demolition by the agency due to lack of building plan approval.
He said that LASPPPA had begun a post-construction audit of all existing structures in the state to ascertain buildings without development permit as well as those distressed.
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Osifuye explained that all landed property and housing developments within the official land of Lagos state, irrespective of private or Federal Government acquisitions fell under the purview and control of the state government.
He corrected the misconception by residents of Federal Government acquisitions within the state that their property fell under the purview and administration of the Federal Government.
Osifuye said that the state government through LASPPPA in conjunction with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had the authority and control over all buildings within the state.
“As a result, every developer or property owner in the state must comply with the specifications of the state government’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
“Every property or building in the state must be validated and regularised inline with the specifications of the agency.
“This can be done by submitting `As built Design Drawings’ to LASPPA’s District offices or submit electronic format of the drawings online through Electronic Planning Permit (EPP) platform”, he said.
Osifuye said that the state had the statutory right to issue development/building permit since 2003 when the Federal Government stopped the issuance of such permit.
“In line with the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, it was established that every property certification issued by the Federal Government before 2003 remains valid, while subsequent certification, validation and regularisation will be done through the state government.
“This implies that state governments have the responsibility to safeguard lives and property in their jurisdiction, irrespective of private or Federal Government acquisition and will also collect the revenues therein,’’ he said.
Osifuye noted that the Land Use Act of 1978 stated that every land in a state solely belonged to the governor of the state. (NAN)
