Housing gaps fuelling exploitation by developers – LASG

The Lagos State Government has noted that urbanisation and housing gaps, among others, are being used as a tool of exploitation by developers and property owners.

This was disclosed in Alausa recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, during a weekly briefing of senior management staff of the ministry.

Olumide said, “Urbanisation and population explosion had precipitated physical planning challenges, including housing gaps and planning infractions, as property owners and developers tried to exploit the gaps without doing due diligence with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development before buying lands.

“However, it is disturbing to see people have their planning proposals turned down by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, simply because of the inappropriateness of the proposed uses and similar planning requirements, which would have been resolved by making initial recourse to our planning information service.”

The LASPPA boss further urged property owners and developers to embrace its free planning information service to avoid undue challenges with planning approvals.

He emphasised that the Lagos State Government, in line with its vision of Making Lagos a 21st-century Economy as indicated in the T.H.E.M.E.S. + agenda, had invested heavily in Operative Development Plans, which designated the appropriate land uses and different approval orders for various areas in the State to bring about organised, orderly, and sustainable development across Lagos State.

“In tandem with the above, the government has also established the planning information service, obtainable free of charge either at the Ministry or LASPPPA. All a developer needs to do is write and request the service, which will aid the decision to purchase land,” he said.

He continued, “Planning information would remove doubt and assist property owners and developers to act with knowledge and confidence as the service would adequately spell out the planning details of the land in question, such as its status, permissible uses, and approvable heights, among others.

“All Lagosians should abide by planning regulations and support the development agenda of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state for the wellness and well-being of all.”