…..enjoins house owners, developers to take advantage of amnesty offer
As the 90-Day Amnesty Period approved by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for property owners and developers to obtain requisite building permits enters the second month, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) has intensified its advocacy, imploring more house owners to use the amnesty window to obtain their building permits.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka gave the advice
during the commencement of a motorized campaign embarked upon by LASPPPA to different parts of the State where they engaged Lagosians and sensitized them on the need to access the amnesty opportunity.
The Commissioner, who spoke through the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Office of Physical Planning, Mr. Taiwo Fesomu,
acknowledged the tenacity of LASPPPA in ensuring that residents of the State are fully aware of the amnesty opportunity approved by the State Governor.
He urged LASPPPA not to rest on its oars in ensuring that more house owners and developers benefit from the amnesty window. Dr. Oluyinka stated that the State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through the approval of the amnesty programme, has again shown itself as a government with a human face.
Oluyinka noted that apart from the ‘no penalty’ attached to the physical planning permit processing for an existing building, the Governor also approved a 5 per cent rebate on assessment fees payable to the State Government throughout the duration of the amnesty window.
He said: “I just want to implore Lagosians not to allow this amnesty window to pass them by, this gesture from the State government shows that the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not want anyone to lose his or her property but instead, wants everyone to conform with laws guiding physical development in the State”.
The Commissioner also told officials of LASPPPA to continue to operate within their limit and avoid engaging in activities capable of bringing the Authority and the State government to disrepute.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LASPPPA, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike explained that the amnesty window was designed to ensure that buildings are constructed correctly and that the necessary fees for physical planning purposes are paid to the government.
On the possibility of extending the three-month amnesty window, the General Manager maintained that only the state governor has the prerogative to review the date, adding that the three-month opportunity was enough for the residents to perfect their planning approvals.
He commended Lagosians who have approached the Authority to regularize their physical planning approvals since the amnesty window was made public on the 2nd of May, 2024, saying that the turn-out has been encouraging.
“I can say that we have witnessed an impressive level of compliance from building owners since the programme started on the 2nd of May this year. However, so many people who are yet to take advantage of this opportunity can still do that from now till the end of July 2024”, the General Manager added.
Tpl. Osinaike disclosed further that the process is seamless, affordable and achievable within the three-month amnesty window, just as he enjoined Lagosians to do the needful within the stipulated time as against asking for an extension.
He implored members of the public to liaise with the District Officers of LASPPPA in their respective LG/LCDAs for professional guidance instead of patronizing touts or any third-party agent.
He also used the opportunity of the Sensitisation campaign to restate the good working relationship that exists between LASPPPA and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in ensuring seamless approval processing.
Osinaike listed documents required for processing of building approval to include Title Document/Proof of Ownership, Survey Plan, As-built Architectural Drawings, Structural, Electrical, and Mechanical Drawings (Where Applicable), Non-Destructive Integrity Test Report (Where Applicable),
Letter of structural stability and indemnity (Where Applicable), Land use Planning Analysis Report, other Supporting Documents where Applicable including evidence of Tax payment.