The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to enforcing physical planning laws within its territory, including the Trade Fair Complex at Ojo.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, said this in a statement by Mukaila Sanusi, director of Public Affairs of the ministry, on Friday in Lagos.
According to Mr Olumide, the state’s position is supported by a Supreme Court judgment of 2003 and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019 (as amended).
He said that although the Trade Fair complex was situated on federal government land, developers there must obtain planning permits from the state government and comply with its physical planning laws.
“We have acted to stop the development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the complex.
“A livable, organised and sustainable environment is vital to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda,” Mr Olumide said.
He said that the complex had a long history of ignoring building regulations and had failed to cooperate with the government in its efforts to achieve voluntary compliance.
According to him, the state had, since November 2023, asked developers in the area to regularise their building approvals with the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, but many failed to do so.
Mr Olumide added that the enforcement was part of the state government’s regular efforts to promote safety, orderliness, and well-being across Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government had, on Thursday, demolished more than 19 buildings at the New Mandela Plaza section of the complex.
The government said that the affected structures were either unapproved, structurally defective, or built on road setbacks and drainage alignments.
The demolition, which involved several state agencies and security personnel, drew mixed reactions from traders, some of whom complained of losses.
(NAN)
