The Lagos State government says, over the past 12 months, it issued about 5,961 out of 8,042 Applications, representing 74.1 percent success rate.
The state adds that it hopes to enhance planning permit applications and fast-track the approval process through many initiatives we have introduced. Many estate developers have always complained that the approval process in the state is not only slow and tortuous but also too expensive.
Oluyinka Olumide, the state’s commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, who gave these hints, listed the initiatives as a sustained public enlightenment and sensitisation programme, the Amnesty Programme and 40 percent rebate to civil servants seeking planning permits.
The commissioner spoke at the state’s ongoing ministerial briefing to mark the first one year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
He explained that the Amnesty Programme is a 90-day initiative given to property owners in furtherance of the palliative measures of the state government. “Governor Sanwo-Olu granted the 90-day amnesty period to property owners and developers of existing developments,” the commissioner said.
“The initiative will allow owners/ developers of existing building to obtain planning permits without the payment of statutory penal fees within the amnesty window beginning from May 2 to July 30, 2024 with 5 percent discount applicable to payments completed within 10 working days of issuance of bill,” he explained.
He described the Amnesty window as a relief measure to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship being experienced in the built environment. According to him, applicants are expected to submit all relevant documents for assessment through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) Head Office and District Offices in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
“Without a doubt, our government is people-oriented and compassionate in formulating policies that favour inclusivity, ease of compliance and citizens’ participation. The Amnesty Window opened to allow Planning Permit Applications from owners of existing developments without payment of the statutory penalty is a good case in point,” he said.
He urged all owners/ developers of existing buildings without Approval to take advantage of this opportunity to regularise their property and be on the good side of the law as the state will not take it lightly subsequent violations of the law.
The commissioner disclosed that the state is also in an aggressive push to find solution to its environmental challenges and infrastructure deficiencies which is why, according to him, in the period under review, his ministry consolidated on its Physical Plans preparation mandate.
This, he explained, was the preparation of three Model City Plans and one Master Plan, and the review of three Master/Model City Plans to, among others, address environmental challenges, infrastructural deficiencies, urban regeneration and housing demand in the state.
These Plans include Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan of 2017 – 2037 already completed; Kosofe Model City Plan (2020 -2040) which is ongoing at 85 percent completion; Lagos Island Model City Plan, ongoing at 85 percent completion and Ibeju – Lekki Model City Plan, ongoing at 65 percent completion.
Others are Review of Alimosho Model City Plan, ongoing at 85 percent completion; Review of Badagry Master Plan, ongoing at 65 percent completion, and Review of Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan – ongoing at 65 percent completion.
The commissioner said that, in the last 12 months, the ministry also engaged in the preparation of nine Action Area Plans also known as lower-order plans. This, he explained, was part of efforts to achieve a sustainable environment and effective development control at the local level.
The benefits of this action, he said, include effective control and proper development guide within its jurisdiction; functional land use patterns and arrangements, good road networks and urban regeneration of the slum environment would be achieved.
Other benefits are the provision of enabling environment for category of land uses, such as industrial, commercial, institutional and residential investments in a sustainable manner; provision of quality infrastructural developments within the planned area, and to guarantee a sustainable physical environment during the stipulated plan period.
