Lagos shuts down 700 buildings for violating town planning laws

On Tuesday, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) said that it has blocked over 700 buildings in 2023 due to a variety of violations.

General Manager of LASPPPA, Mr. Kehinde Osinaike, made this announcement while in charge of the authority's enforcement team in the state's Ikeja Local Government area.

According to Osinaike, the authority was taking proactive steps to prevent building collapse in 2024.

He clarified that the goal of this was to control physical planning violations in order to prevent building collapse and adhere to the state's vision.

The state government, according to the general manager, is dedicated to ensuring that Lagos develops sustainably and that all citizens benefit from an orderly and well-planned metropolitan environment.

He stated that early action in 2024 was necessary since some uncooperative developers have either disregarded or broken official seals to carry on with illegal building.

“In 2023, we sealed more than 700 buildings all over the state. Substantial number of them actually came back to more or less regularise their papers, and when they meet the requirements, we unsealed them and regularised their papers,” Osinaike said.

He praised the great majority of locals who chose voluntary compliance in 2023 and urged developers and property owners who were unwilling to comply to alter their ways.

According to the general manager, assets and lives were protected when voluntary compliance was observed.

According to him, it also contributes to establishing order in the surroundings.

Before beginning to buy land or develop property, Osinaike urged Lagos citizens to always get in touch with the nearest LASPPPA district offices located throughout the local governments.