The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development Mr. Kehinde Gbajumo has urged the Executives of the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN) to enlighten their members on the requirements, procedures and laws relating to reclamation, regularisation of title on land and abutting waterfront clearance.
Gbajumo gave the advice in his presentation at a One-Day Sensitization and Enlightenment seminar with the theme: “Improving The Planning Permit Process For Ease Of Doing Business In Lagos State”, organised by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), adding that it is a prerequisite to processing planning permit/on land abutting water.
According to him, the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development must be involved in the process of granting waterfront clearance which is a requirement for planning permit on waterfront development and layout approval by the Ministry of Physical Planning Urban Development.
According to him, “Some of the activities of his Ministry include the Regularization of Title to Waterfront Land, Issuance of Waterfront Clearance for Planning Permit on building development along Waterfront Land, Granting of Reclamation Permits for Creation of Islands, Foreshore Estate and Extension of Land by reclamation as well as the construction of Private Jetties along the State Waterfront”.
In his address, the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA), Tpl Kehinde Osinaike said the seminar was organised to avoid unnecessary delay in obtaining planning permits or property being sealed or demolished during construction for non-compliance to building regulations, documentation, statutory payments and taxation.
He stated that the morphology of towns and cities is determined by their development plans which are government policies and proposals for the use of land to achieve orderliness and efficient functioning of cities, towns and villages.
In his words, “ A well-articulated plan will not yield the desired results in transforming the cities for good if its inert and purpose are not fully adhered to, hence the use of legislation to enforce compliance with the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Law 2010, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019 and Lagos State Building Control Regulations 2019.
The seminar was also attended by Permanent Secretaries and General Managers of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Lands Bureau, Lagos State Building Control Authority (LASBCA), New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS) and Lagos State Safety Commission among others.