Noise nightmare: Lagos businessman ignores LASPPPA, turns residential area into commercial hub, neighbours groan
By Ishaya Ibrahim
For over a year, there have not been any respite for residents of No. 1, Akinsipe Close, Off Oremeta Street in the Oregun area of Lagos State. The neighbourhood, designated by the Lagos Government as a residential area, has turned into a market of a sort with buzzing commercial activities that disturb the peace of mind of other occupants.
Trucks and workers move in and out of the building daily, except Sundays, disturbing the peace of other property owners who live there with their families.
In multiple petitions to agencies of the Lagos State Government seen by TheNiche, the occupants lamented the loss of their comfort since Redot Digital Marketing Consultancy and Chamueze Stores owned by businessman, Chima Iheanacho started operating in the building.
The occupants describe their everyday experience except Sunday as nightmarish, with noise and commotion from the commercial activities of Mr Iheanacho’s businesses.
In August 2023, two occupants, Ben Arikpo and Chinedu Chukwu, petitioned the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) to lament their situation.
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The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority is responsible for enforcement of the laws of Lagos State which forbid the conversion of residential premises to commercial use.
The agency has severally issued press releases warning occupants of residential buildings in Lagos against converting them to commercial use. In some of those press releases, they warn defaulters to either revert to the permit the premises were granted or face the wrath of the law. But in this specific case of No. 1 Akinsipe Close being converted to commercial use, the agency, however, ignored the complaints, ditto other agencies of the Lagos Government, including the Ministry of Environment.
On September 26, 2024, TheNiche visited the office of LASPPPA in the Ikeja area of Lagos to speak with the General Manager, Osinaike Kehinde about why his agency had not taken action on the alleged environmental infringements.
He requested our reporter furnish him with details of the said property so that he could look into it. When our reporter called him two days later as agreed to enquire what were the findings, he confirmed the businessman was in breach of Lagos environmental laws against the conversion of residential premises for business use. The property was therefore sealed.
TheNiche also contacted Mr Ihaenacho to hear his side of the story. He declined to comment on the matter, referring our reporter to his lawyer, Adebayo Gbenga, Esq.
The lawyer contacted our reporter and said his client was seeking to relocate his business out of the premises.
Curiously, TheNiche found out that instead of relocating the business out of the area as discussed with our reporter, commercial activities have resumed full blast. Even the STOP WORK seal put on the building by LASPPPA has been removed.
TheNiche contacted the GM of LASPPPA via WhatsApp chat whether his office gave the approval for the resumption of commercial activities and removal of the STOP WORK seal, he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.
