The Lagos State government has restated its call for a sustainable attitude to promote livable built environment.
The government made the call on the occasion of the 2022 World Environment Day (WED) through a statement by Idris Salako, the commissioner for physical planning and urban development.
Salako, who facilitated with Lagosians on the WED, said: “The human element is germane in what becomes of our earth. Therefore, let every one of us, in the various relationships we share with this benevolent matter- be it professionals in the built environment, decision-makers or land users, retune ourselves towards cultivating the right attitude that will promote livability and protect the earth.”
Reflecting on the theme of the celebration, “only one earth,” Salako urged Lagosians not to bastardise the earth but protect its alluring features and discharge their responsibilities towards its sustainability.
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“The day also reminds us of the responsibility we all share towards the sustainability of our avuncular host, housing our civilisations, symbolised by the physical developments and all their trappings “, he said.
He averred that building collapse experienced in the state in recent times was an aberration and needless distraction which must be corrected by all acting in unison to promote livability, sustainability and organised environment.
“Specifically, in the built environment it behoves us to adopt attitude of compliance to regulations and endeavour to build right by doing the needful, including obtaining planning permits before building, subjecting building construction to stage supervision by LASBCA and getting the certificate of completion and fitness for habitation before moving into any building”, he said.
The commissioner added that under no pretext should anyone encourage illegality by behaving contrary to the dictates of the physical planning laws or even attempting to compromise the process.
He assured that the Lagos State government on its part would continue to promote sustainable planning, strengthen monitoring and enforcement and uphold its determination to bequeath a 21 st-century economy to the state.
