The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, said that the Lagos State’s position was backed by the Supreme Court judgment of 2003 and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended, which empower the state to regulate and enforce physical planning laws.
Sequel to growing criticisms that greeted the demolition of over nine plazas at the International Trade Fair complex, the Lagos State Government has responded by reaffirming its mandate to enforce physical planning laws within its jurisdiction, including the Trade fair Complex in Ojo.
The commissioner stated that the location of the Trade Fair Complex on Federal Government land did not exempt developers from obtaining necessary planning permits from the Lagos State Government or adhering to the State physical planning laws.
“We have acted decisively to halt further development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the Complex as a livable, organised, orderly and sustainable built environment is crucial to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda “, he said.
He reiterated that the Trade Fair Complex had a history of non-compliance with building regulations and had refused to cooperate with the efforts to bring it into voluntary compliance despite several warnings, including the request in November 2023 for building constructions within the area to be regularised with the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
This action comes after the recent expiration of a government amnesty programme that allowed owners of unapproved buildings to regularise them without penalty. With that deadline now over, LASBCA has stepped up demolitions in areas where illegal structures are unsafe or obstruct public infrastructure.
Past demolitions have, however, sparked criticism from residents who complained of losing homes or businesses without enough notice. In Oworonshoki, for instance, many said they were not given sufficient time to move or protect their belongings before bulldozers arrived.
The government insists the enforcement drive is necessary to safeguard lives and improve order in an already congested city.