By Yinka Kolowale
Developers under the aegis of Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS), have faulted some aspects of the proposed Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Law.

In a statement by their vice-chairman, Alhaji Taiye Folami and the Secretary, Mr. Tosin Alatise, the developers asked that the law be enacted in such a way as to prevent the escalation of rents, impoverishment of the masses and sending thousands into the streets and under the bridge.

The Lagos State House of Assembly had recently organised a public hearing on the bill aimed at providing for the administration of physical planning, urban development, urban regeneration and building control in Lagos State and for other connected matters.

The statement came on the heels of criticism by professionals in the construction industry that the bill was not a representation of the proposal submitted to the House prior to the hearing.

AREDOLS noted in the statement that despite the good intention of the bill, it has some loose ends that need to be tidied up for it not to be counter-productive. “The bill which gives absolute power of building permit approval to the Commissioner will slow down physical development and increase cost of living.

Developers, professionals, artisans among others may be sent out of business, thereby pushing up unemployment and crime rate in the state,” it stated.

The developers proposed among others that the administration of building construction control/material testing laboratory be merged with the building control authority and located at all the district offices in the state to ensure effective co-ordination.

They also canvassed that any building that exceeds three floors should compulsorily have insurance policy, and questioned section 75 of the bill on forfeiture of property on collapsed building, wondering what would happen in a situation whereby the building collapse is not due to negligence on the part of the owner, developer or the professionals on site.