By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State House of Assembly has warned agents of the state government against demolishing completed structures found without building approvals in the state.

Chairman House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Setonji Davids gave the warning   at a stakeholders event organised by the state government to sensitise residents on plans to develop the Badagry axis of the state.

Setonji-Davids

Davids said that the assembly would not welcome any confrontation between the government and residents.

According to him: “Rather than demolish such buildings, the state government should introduce process that will fast-track issuance of building permits in the state.”

Responding, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe said: “We don’t want to demolish any building and that was why we have asked residents to seek for the necessary approvals before they start construction. And that was why we have introduced E-planning permits to aid quick issuance of permits,” he added.

The commissioner noted that the government was working to ensure that parts of the land under global acquisition are returned to the residents of Badagry.

General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPA, Mr. Toyin Abdul, lamented that only 1,428 buildings sought approval from the government, saying “others have contravened the state government construction law.”

He added that the state government would not condone construction without seeking approvals.