The Lagos State Government has offered a discount and amnesty programme to encourage property owners to get the necessary permits and comply with building regulations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this at a press briefing to mark the first year of the second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said the aim of these initiatives was to ensure public safety and promote a sustainable urban environment by encouraging adherence to building regulations.
The commissioner had in a recent interview with newsmen said 80 per cent of buildings in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos had no approval.
He said, “Just last week Thursday and Friday, myself and the team were in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis and you would agree with me that anybody passing through that corridor would see a lot of estates marked. We went there, and I can tell you that from what we saw, over 80 per cent of them do not have approval.”
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On Wednesday, he announced that a 40 per cent rebate on planning permits was offered to civil servants to incentivise them to follow the proper procedures for their properties.
He said, “In a bid to ensure that the state maintains its high developmental standard, Lagos State Government has announced a 40 per cent rebate on Planning Permit payment to Lagosians.
“This is to encourage property owners in the state to do the right thing by ensuring their properties pass all official procedures.”
Olumide said a 90-day amnesty period was also given to property owners with unpermitted buildings to apply for permits during this period without facing penalties.
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This, he said, was meant to address existing non-compliance and promote a more regularised building environment.
He said, “The amnesty initiative would allow owners and developers of existing buildings to obtain planning permits without the payment of statutory penal fees within the amnesty window from May 2 to July 30, 2024, with a five per cent discount applicable to payments completed within 10 working days of the bill’s issuance.”