The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Wednesday, served Contravention Notices on three bonded container terminals and sealed 16 other buildings constructed illegally in Okota within Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.

The bonded terminals, names withheld were found to have been inappropriately constructed in residential areas and, therefore, requested to come forward with Planning Permits for the facilities to avoid being sealed.

The monitoring and enforcement team, led by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako also sealed 16 other residential and commercial buildings constructed without Planning Permits or were built at variance with the Approval Order of the area.

Salako insisted that Lagosians must build by the rule, warning that no excuses will be entertained from property owners and developers found violating approvals despite the persistent public enlightenment by the State government.

The Commissioner reiterated that Property Owners and Developers should shun charlatans and approach the District Office of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority(LASPPPA) to process their Planning Permits and follow the rule during construction of buildings.

The enforcement team, which sealed shopping malls, hotels, warehouses and private residences illegally converted for other use, also comprised the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba; Permanent Secretary, Arc. Foluso Dipe; operatives of Lagos State Physical Permit Planning Authority (LASPPPA), Lagos State Building Control Agency(LASBCA) and the Special Operations Team in the Governor’s Office.

In a related development, the  State Government has disclosed its intention to open up new towns in Ito-Omu, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State and its adjoining communities in order to bring development to the people of the area.

The Acting General Manager New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Tpl. Olakunle  Aboyeji, who stated this today at a stakeholder meeting for Ito-Omu Project, held at Ikeja with the representatives of the Oba of Ito-Omu, Baales of Ito-Omu and its adjoining community, said that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has given his approval for the development of new towns within Ito-Omu and its adjoining communities which necessitated the planned activities.

He explained that the meeting was necessary to intimate all stakeholders about government’s intention and impending presence within their communities in the next couple of weeks so that it will not be misconstrued, assuring that there is no ulterior motive behind the exercise.

Aboyeji also disclosed that the mapping exercise would commence immediately after the stakeholders meeting with the community leaders.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro solicited the support of the community leaders, promising that with the proposed plan all the untapped economic potentials of the area will be exploited, just as the area will be developed.

He advised the community residents not to yield their land to speculators who will mount pressure to purchase land before the government development plans materialise, pointing out that after the proposed development within the area, property value will appreciate.

The Surveyor-General, Surv. Olutomi Sangowawa said, “this is going to be the beginning of new things to happen in the community as all mistakes of the past, while creating new towns, would be avoided if residents work hand in hand with government officials to bring in expertise for the much-needed development”.

The representatives of the Oba of Ito-Omu and the Olisa Ito-Omu, Akogun Fatai Kosoko disclosed that the exercise was a welcome and long-overdue development because only Ito-Omu and its adjoining communities had not been developed and connected to the main network of roads coming into Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis.

He noted that community inhabitants had to go through either the lagoon or spend a painfully long journey of over four hours before they get to the mainland from their various communities, hoping the building of bridges and a good road network will benefit all residents of the community.