The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has reached a collaborative agreement with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for adequate security backup for its enforcement activities.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide in Alausa during the courtesy call of the RRS to the Ministry recently, adding that security backup was necessary for effective enforcement of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law to guarantee environmental sustainability.
“The visit by the RRS, led by its Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, is most welcome as it allows us to initiate discussion on how best the Security Outfit can support our enforcement efforts and enhance our zero tolerance for illegal building construction in Lagos State”, he said.
He noted that the development came at the right time when the Ministry was in critical need of security backup for the ongoing removal of illegal buildings to ensure an organised, orderly and livable built environment and prevent building collapse.
He stated that the daily influx of people into Lagos and the attendant population increase had brought about the indiscriminate erection of buildings, an ugly trend that the State Government would strive to reverse, urging Lagosians to support the government by whistle-blowing as a form of community policing to make the job of security agents easier.
Director, Technical Services in the Ministry, Tpl. Bola Aliu commended the RRS Commander for his proactiveness, which would aid the ministry in discharging its mandate, including handling petitions.
Earlier, the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi said that the purpose of the visit was to express its readiness to provide necessary security backup for the enforcement activities of the Ministry and prevent its staff from being attacked by angry and aggressive public while carrying out enforcement exercises across the state.
He enjoined the Ministry to give timely information before embarking on enforcement to allow for the provision of adequate security backup during enforcement.