Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
In a bid to inspire the citizenry to obtain building approvals and build in accordance to the regulations, Ogun State Government has reduced the penal fees for not obtaining building approvals before construction by sixty percent for commercial developments, and eighty percent for residential developments.
This was disclosed by the Acting General Manager, Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA), TPl. Idowu James during a sensitisation campaign to the Ota Community Development Council (CDC) recently.
Tpl. James said Governor Dapo Abiodun had totally waived penal fees between October and December 2022, which many people benefitted from, saying “presently, if you have built without approvals, the government has slashed the penal fee for residential developments by eighty percent, while for commercial developments, penal fees have been slashed by sixty percent. We cannot say how long this will last, so I urge the citizenry to take advantage of the reduction.”
Speaking further, the Acting GM noted that Ota area was prone to flooding because of its location below sea level, advising members of Community Development Associations (CDAs) to serve as watchdogs against illegal and haphazard developments that could further create blockages to water and human movement in the area.
“Once you notice any development that contravenes your layout plan, such as structures being built to block roads or without leaving setbacks, do not hesitate to inform the Authority. By doing this as part of your responsibility, government can protect the safety of your community by ensuring such buildings do not develop further until the building laws of the State have been followed,” James asserted.
Contributing, the Permanently Secretary in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Olayiwola Abiodun, who was represented by the Director, Urban Development, TPl. Rufus Talabi called on the CDAs represented at the forum to obtain the necessary building permits for the security of their properties and preservation of the community.
Responding, the Chairman, Ota Area CDC, Alhaji AbdulFatai Adekunle, appreciated the Authority for the sensitisation, saying the message would be passed down to all the members of the 64 Community Development Areas of the CDC.