Real estate developers in Lagos have criticised the state government’s plan to shut down 176 housing estates said to have breached planning regulations, warning that the move could unsettle investors and damage confidence in the property market.
The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) expressed its concerns following a statement from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which announced that the affected estates had 21 days to regularise their layout approvals or face closure.
REDAN President, Akintoye Adeoye, said branding the estates as “illegal” could send the wrong signal to both local and foreign investors. “It sends shock waves to the investing community, especially those in the diaspora. Government officials should choose their words carefully when communicating with the public,” he said.
Adeoye noted that excessive bureaucracy and high approval fees had long been a challenge for developers, calling for reforms to build trust between regulators and industry stakeholders. “There are confidence issues that must be addressed. The government must embrace greater transparency in its dealings with developers,” he added.
The state government had last week listed the estates, located mainly in Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe, as having no approved layouts from the Ministry. Some of the named projects include Adron Homes in Elerangbe, Aina Gold Estate in Okun-Folu, Diamond Estate in Eputu, Prime Water View Garden in Ikate Elegushi and Royal View Estate in Ikota.
When asked how the estates were developed without necessary approvals, the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, said it reflected a wider disregard for regulations. “That some of them have already been built does not make it right. Government must act in the interest of creating a livable, organised and sustainable environment,” he stated.
Sanusi urged prospective homebuyers to verify layout and planning permits with the Ministry before making payments. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, stressed that the enforcement drive was part of routine regulatory work in line with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda for sustainable urban development.
He also reminded developers to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), which oversees the activities of real estate practitioners to ensure order in the sector.
