By Owoleye Oluwakayode
The General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Mr. Kehinde Osinaike, has expressed readiness of the establishment to collaborate with the leadership of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area to address the issue of illegal and haphazard developments in the community.
Osinaike spoke when the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, visited his office in Ikeja to solicit for collaboration on the delivery of government services to Ibeju-Lekki, promising that LASPPPA would soon extend its physical planning advocacy and intervention of orderly development to the area and other parts of the State.
He appreciated the Chairman for deeming it fit to seek Physical Planning Permit for the re-construction of the former headquarters of the LGA, which was burnt down during the #EndSARS protests, stressing that the application process would be fast-tracked.
On the issue of illegal and haphazard developments, the General Manager stated that the Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of LASPPPA, the Lagos Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the District Offices of both Agencies have noticed some of the illegal developments and would soon take appropriate steps to address the issue.
His words: “Right now, the Monitoring and Enforcement Team of LASPPPA are at Lekki to check some alleged violations on Physical Planning Permit laws and would not hesitate to take necessary sanctions on structures contravening the Physical Planning laws of the State.”
Acknowledging the need for joint monitoring by LASPPPA, LASBCA and the Local Government, Osinaike expressed hope that the partnership between the government bodies will continue for the benefit of the good people of Lagos State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, disclosed that his visit was to establish a good working relationship with LASPPPA and express his concerns about recent haphazard developments within the Local Government Area.
He complained of illegal development of structures and unguided construction works presently going on along the Dangote Free Trade Zone while calling on the State Government to take over the Right of Way from the Deep Blue Sea Area and Dangote Refinery to Odo Erin Area of Ibeju-Lekki for expansion of the road.