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LagosThe Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, an arbitration panel, has presented its three years progress report to the State Government after receiving 80 cases and completing 40.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, Spokesperson of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Sanusi said the Commissioner, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, received the committee’s report on Friday in Alausa.
He said the commissioner applauded the the Appeals Committee as a brilliant idea which brought about the needed interface between government and the people in application of the Physical Planning laws.
Bamgbose-Martins said it was interesting that such a body was available to checkmate excesses of government officials and the people.
He urged all parties to shun undue interference in application of Physical Planning Laws.
“It is important for everyone to assess their involvement in Physical Planning infractions and henceforth remove all forms of interference, which today remains the bane of the system,” the commissioner said.
The Special Adviser, e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Babatunde, urged the Committee not to relent in hearing cases concerning erring members of staff, while enjoining the ministry to assist in the smooth running of the quasi-tribunal.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe, commended the Committee for its unbiased handling of petitions referred to it at different instances by both government and members of the public.
Earlier, the Chairman, Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Mr Ayodele Adediran, thanked the ministry’s leadership for easing the task of the Committee.
He said the ministry had “been of great assistance in meeting challenges faced by the committee in discharging its duties, even as it neared the end of its tenure”.
Ayodele highlighted the achievements of the committee in the last three years to include considering 80 cases brought before it, 40 of which had been decided.
He added that the issues included hearing of petition by the Lagos State Government on Regional Road alignment and awarding compensation against the government in a case of wrongful demolition.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State government has charged the Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee to evolve strategies to restore sanity in the construction sector.
The spokesman for Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Mukaila Sanusi, gave the charge in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Sanusi said the ministry’s commissioner, Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, gave the advice at the opening of a two-day retreat organised by the Appeals Committee in Ikeja on Wednesday.
Bamgbose-Martins urged the committee to review the past, consider emerging realities and come up with new ideas of handling appeals.
He decried the pervasive disregard of physical planning laws and regulations and urged the committee to change the narratives.
Bamgbose-Martins said the committee was inaugurated about three years ago by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consider appeals from the public on physical planning and building control matters.
“Certainly, events in the built environment prior to and since the inception of the Committee have justified its establishment as the beacon of hope to the state and all stakeholders for re-instilling the much needed sanity into the system,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the retreat would better position the committee to deliver on its mandate, while “praising efforts to retool members of the committee.
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Earlier, Chairman, Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Mr Ayodele Adediran, said the committee was an important mechanism to achieve the THEMES Agenda of making Lagos a 21st Century economy.
Adediran said the committee, established more than three years ago, would benefit immensely from a review of its performance in line with the legal instrument setting it up.
He said inspite of challenges, the Appeals Committee had successfully treated 28 out of 52 cases considered and would wax stronger after the retreat.
The Solicitor- Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bay, hailed the establishment of the Appeals Committee.
She added that strengthening the Committee would help a lot in resolving physical planning and building control related disputes as the world was moving towards alternative dispute resolution.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State Government says it has directed prompt investigations to unravel the cause of the building collapse at 24 Oye Sonuga Str., Palmgroove, Mushin Local Government on Friday.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, said this at the site.
He said the incident, which occurred at midday, was “the partial collapse of a four-floor building that is over forty years old”.
Bamgbose-Martins, according to a statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the ministry, said that while investigations were on, he had directed that the adjoining building be demolished for safety reasons to avert danger.
The Commissioner said that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory had been instructed to begin work to unravel the cause of the collapse.
He said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had since begun rescue operations and efforts were on to save anyone trapped in the rubbles.
Lagos has recorded recurring cases of building collapse, with Friday’s incident coming on the heels of that of a seven-storey building on Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki, on Sept. 4.
The building, which was under construction, caved in, leading to the death of no fewer than five persons.
The former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, resigned his appointment a day after the incident.
Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy who announced Salako’s resignation in Ikeja, did not state the reason for his resignation.
He stated, however, that the commissioner’s resignation was a prelude to the restructuring of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its agencies.
He added that Gov. Sanwo-Olu accepted the commissioner’s resignation, thanked him for his services to the state and wished him success in his future endeavours.
“The governor warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are,’’ Omotoso had stressed.
On Sept. 17, his successor, Bamgbose-Martins, was quoted as telling staff members of agencies under the ministry that it could no longer be business as usual.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Sanusi quoted the commissioner as speaking during his maiden meeting with staff of agencies under his ministry in Alausa.
The meeting, according to the statement, was held with staff of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) District Officers.
It said that the state government was adopting rewards and sanctions for efficiency of its agencies monitoring the construction sector and urged the staff to brace up for change.
The commissioner is quoted as saying that the ministry was confronted with several challenges it could not ignore
He said they could not be ignored if the ministry must meet the aspirations of the state government for sustainable built environment and 21st century economy.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, has told staff members of agencies under the ministry that it can no longer be business as usual.
This is contained in a statement on Saturday by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Sanusi quoted the commissioner as speaking during his maiden meeting with staff of agencies under his ministry on Friday in Alausa.
The meeting, according to the statement, was held with staff of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) District Officers.
It said that the state government was adopting rewards and sanctions for efficiency of its agencies monitoring the construction sector and urged the staff to brace up for change.
The commissioner is quoted as saying that the ministry was confronted with several challenges it could not ignore
He said they could not be ignored if the ministry must meet the aspirations of the state government for sustainable built environment and 21st century economy.
“To enhance the quality of our services, it has become incumbent upon us to frontally address notable gaps in the processes.
“It is by so doing that we can engender crops of well empowered field officers, improve public sensitisation of available resources and enhance feedback mechanism as well as reduce negative public perception,” he said.
Bamgbose-Martins said the change would be targeted at building positive public image through effective feedback mechanism and prompt, timely and courteous service.
He urged the District Officers to embrace transparency and accountability in their official conducts.
The commissioner warned that officers must be conscious of their conducts as ambassadors of the state government in their respective districts.
He said that plans were on “to encourage healthy rivalry amongst district offices through the application of a reward system and discipline”.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Babatunde, expressed confidence that incessant building collapse would be a thing of the past in Lagos State when the reforms being pushed get a foothold.
Babatunde said that it was necessary for all District Officers as operators of the system to understand and internalise the change being advocated.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe promised Lagos residents efficient planning approval and enforcement processes.
She said that these would reduce illegal construction and tame building collapse.
Also present were General Manager (GM), LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki; GM, LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike; and GM, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency, Mr Daisi Oso.
The GM, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, Mr Olufunso Elulade, was also listed among those in attendance at the meeting.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations on Friday resumed office as the new Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.
A statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the ministry, said Bamgbose-Martins was warmly received by the ministry’s management staff.
Sanusi said the staff were led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Babatunde, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe.
Bamgbose-Martins, in his remarks, explained that his redeployment was another call to duty and opportunity to work with like minds to surmount challenges confronting the built environment.
He urged members of staff “to cooperate and be ready to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
The Commissioner promised a transparent and engaging administration and emphasised the need for dedication and team work to enhance service delivery and maximise stakeholders’ satisfaction.
Earlier, Babatunde said that the commissioner was “a square peg in a square hole” bringing his wealth of experience and expertise needed to solve the challenges of the time.
Kosegbe, while giving a brief on the mandate of the ministry, said the commissioner, who he described as a reputable engineer, also distinguished himself while in the Civil Service.
Also, pouring encomiums on Bamgbose-Martins were Permanent Secretaries who had worked with him in the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.
The Commissioner was also briefed by heads of agencies under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State Government says it has ordered arrest of the developer and building professionals working on the seventh-floor structure that collapsed in the early hours on Sunday.
A statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesperson, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the building, under construction, was located at Oba Abiodun Oniru road, Island area.
The Commissioner in the Ministry, Dr Idris Salako, gave the order during his visit to the collapsed building site.
Salako said that the developer and professionals were liable because they did not regard the planning laws of the state.
According to him, this is having embarked on construction without a valid planning permit and ignoring official warnings against continuing the building works.
He said that under no circumstances should anyone construe the filling of application for permit through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority as a ticket to start construction.
He said: “There must be a valid planning permit from the aforementioned agency in addition to letter of authorisation and stage inspection at every stage and certification by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
“This will ensure that construction works are carried out in conformity with the approval granted”.
The commissioner, however, said that the Police had started a manhunt for the developer, architects, builders and engineers involved in the project while the government was investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse,
He expressed worry over increasing disregard for law and order by actors in the built environment, adding that government was determined to restore sanity and orderliness to the sector.
He also said that the state government had declared incidents of building collapse intolerable.
Salako urged Lagos residents to join hands with the government to maintain vigilance in the built environment by reporting any illegal developments in their vicinity.
He adde that infractions should be reported through any ministry or state government communication channels, particularly the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development APP and LASBCA.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Lagos State Government says it has constituted a committee on the regeneration of Obalende, a community on Lagos Island, which has degenerated into rustic part of the state.
A statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, a spokesman in the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, quoted the Commissioner, Dr Idris Salako as disclosing this on Thursday in Ikeja.
Salako said the committee was set up by Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after a meeting with residents of the area.
The commissioner said the residents were given “three months to look into the modalities for restoring the community to its past functional glory.
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According to Salako, the state government is amenable to issuing new lease for land use in the community.
He said the measure was a response to the plea by property owners and residents, led by their representative in the House of Assembly, Mr Gbolahan Yehsau.
Besides, he said the residents requested for government assurance on the issuance of land title and the impending dislocation due to the regeneration plan.
He said the state government had a vision to fulfill the urgent need to regenerate the community in line with the 21st Century development standards.
“Mr Governor at the meeting assured Obalende residents that he will on compassionate ground renew the title to their lands if and when they apply for renewal; but that should not derail the regeneration efforts of the state government,” he said.
The commissioner urged the community to trust that government would take the right steps that would improve the environment to the pride of all as envisioned in the THEMES Agenda.
The committee members included four representatives from the community, their representatives in the House of Assembly and five government officials.
The government officials include Salako, the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr Bode Agoro, his counterpart in Survey, Mr Olutomi Sangowawa.
Others are the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Ms Ajibike Shomade and the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki.
Others are the Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Special Adviser, EGIS Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Babatunde and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe.
Also in the committee is the General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency, Mr Daisi Oso.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State Government says it has engaged stakeholders on discussions toward smooth establishment of the Right of Way (RoW) for construction of the Opebi-Mende link Bridge in Ikeja.
A statement on Saturday by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesperson of the Lagos state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the project was a priority of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
Sanusi said the Commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Dr Idris Salako, led the stakeholders meeting in Alausa on Friday.
Salako said the construction of the Opebi-Mende link Bridge and approach roads would ease gridlock and transportion network in line with the THEMES agenda of the Lagos state government.
“It is a known fact that the people are the ultimate beneficiaries of development projects like this.
As promised through the THEMES Agenda of the Administration, the government led by Sanwo-Olu will continue to take concrete steps toward ensuring the delivery of the dividends of democracy to our people.
“Evidently, this particular project, like many that have been executed across sectors, will add on as a good example of making life more abundant for the governed,” he said.
He urged the stakeholders to grant public officers and contractors working on the site unhindered access for hitch-free operations to ensure the project was delivered on schedule.
Salako added that as part of the procedure for the establishment of the RoW, officials of the ministry would serve statutory notices on buildings earmarked for removal and mark such affected buildings at the expiration of the notices.
He added that officers from Lands Bureau would later carry out valuation exercise for compensation purposes before the actual removal of structures.
The Special Adviser to the governor on E-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Babatunde urged all property owners to respect the RoW of public facilities to avoid the removal of their structures.
The Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye urged the stakeholders “to take ownership of the project and accord it the deserved support as their inputs and suggestions were factored in”.
Others at the meeting included: Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola; General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Ms Ajibike Shomade and General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency, Mr Daisi Oso.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Lagos State Government has reclaimed encroached portions of Ikorodu GRA Scheme III, located at Odonla, Lucky Fibre axis of Ikorodu.
The government has also returned the portions to the original allottees.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, made the disclosure at the Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, according to a statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, Deputy Director, Public Affairs Unit of the ministry.
The statement was issued on Thursday in Lagos.
Salako said that the government dislodged illegal occupants and returned the encroached portions to original allottees, who had certificates of occupancy issued by the state’s Lands Bureau.
He said.
“The move is to restore confidence in government schemes, give deserved restitution and forestall bastardisation of the scheme.” Salako said that the government served statutory notices to the encroachers, including a stop-work order issued on Feb.
4, before reclaiming the portions.
He advised land grabbers to stop, in their own interest.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos State Government has warned against indiscriminate excavation of Magodo wetlands, saying it portends serious danger to lives and property. This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Sanusi said the Commissioner in the ministry, Dr Idris Salako, gave the warning when he visited the area on Monday. Salako said the action was “unwarranted, provocative and contrary to the civic gesture of the state government, which had displayed trust in the Rule of Law in the Magodo land saga”. He said while the government was making efforts to resettle the Onikosi family in Magodo Scheme III, being created in between Scheme I and II and Omole Estate, the excavation was damaging the environment. He said the excavation was traumatising innocent citizens because the foundations of some buildings in Magodo GRA were caving in and risked collapse. “It is unimaginable that any family in Lagos State, noted for unrivalled sense of accommodation and conviviality, will go to this length to inflict pain on others, despite reassurances by the government.” The commissioner appealled to the community “to henceforth desist from any untoward acts such as the current ill-advised excavation in the estate or face stiff sanctions from the Lagos State Government”. Meanwhile, Salako also visited Mr Bolaji Omotoso, a resident of Magodo Scheme II, to see the extent of damage to his property, occasioned by the excavation. He sympathised with the residents and advised them to evacuate the building while proper engineering tests would be carried out to ascertain the level of damage. He said that it was no longer safe to continue occupying the building as it could cave in with any serious rain. The commissioner added that the area being excavated had been sealed to arrest the situation.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
