The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, has enjoined residents of the state to seek adequate information on properties before purchase, adding that securing planning information and a building permit is prerequisite for embarking on any construction in the state.

Speaking during an interactive session with stakeholders in Amuwo Odofin and Oriade communities, Ogunleye informed participants that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had approved that property owners and developers without Registered Title documents could obtain provisional approvals with family receipts and evidence of stamp duty payments.

Ogunleye said with the provisional approval, builders could commence construction while the process continues for final approval, adding that the new procedure is to ensure that residents develop property taking cognizance of physical planning regulations.

“It is important that you get planning permit for any kind of construction you are embarking on, even if you are building with wood or iron. If you do not get approval before building, you will be penalised,” he said.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the State government has given amnesty to landowners to come and obtain their permits between March 1 and August 31 without being penalised.

He revealed that the State Government will soon release a template for construction of fuel stations, recalling that an embargo was placed last year on the approval of petrol stations in all parts of the state till further notice.

According to him, “We are passionate about what is happening in our State and we do not want cases of fire incidents. We have realised that people are just building filling stations in areas that are not meant for them, which is dangerous. Filling stations owners no longer obey the rule of 400 metres distance. The proliferation of the filling stations needs to be controlled.”

“We all know the flammability of products sold by the filling stations. We will inform the general public when we lift the embargo and begin to approve permits for filling stations again. We are currently developing a procedure and an implementable code,” he added.

In her contribution at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, cautioned residents of the state against encroaching on Government land, saying there were no vacant or free land in the state as most of the available space had already been planned.

•Source: lagosstate.gov.ng

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