Lagos State government has warned property owners and developers against illegal conversion of usage, especially industrial premises, saying the act could no longer be tolerated.
Conversion of property to other usage other than what originally approved by the government is widespread in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub.
The commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Idris Salako, who gave the warning, said the government would henceforth come down hard on the violators of the state’s physical planning laws.
According to Salako, industrial premises were primarily designed for productive activities expected to provide employment opportunities and grow the economy of the state, and must remain so.
“Government has noticed with dismay the continuous illegal conversion and use of industrial premises for other uses including places of worship, event centres and other non-complementary uses. The general public is hereby warned that all non-complementary facilities such as places of worship and social related activities are not permissible within industrial estates in consonance with the Operative Development Plans and relevant sections of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit and Building Control Regulations (2019),” said Salako.
The official, who said that appropriate sanctions shall be applied against violators of the regulations, listed Ikeja, Ilupeju, Apapa, Oshodi, Mile 2 Amuwo, Ikorodu, Epe, Orile Iganmu and Oregun Industrial Estate as those majorly affected
He appealed for the continuous support of Lagosians in sustaining the industrial estates as hubs for job creation and economic prosperity. He urged that enquiries on the matter should be directed to the ministry of physical planning and urban development, secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, for clarification.
JOSHUA BASSEY
