Lagos dey Target To Issue 40,000 Building Permits Every Year , Commissioner Yarn.

Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development don intensify public engagement to make sure people follow building permit rules well, as dem dey aim to approve 40,000 building permits every year. Di commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Olumide Oluyinka, talk dis one for news conference wey happen for Alausa on Wednesday. Di engagement wey dem call “Planning Permit: A Rebirth” go hold on September 26. Di commissioner talk say di exercise na part of one week-long stakeholders’ engagement wey dem design to raise public awareness on how e important to get planning permits before people start any development. Mr Oluyinka yan say di ministry process about 18,000 planning permit applications for 2024 but dem need double that number to meet di state development goals. He talk say, “Our assessment show say Lagos suppose dey issue between 40,000 and 45,000 planning permits every year. We dey far below dis level, na why we decide to waka go grassroots to sensitize people and key stakeholders. He compare planning permit to birth certificate for buildings, explain say e give any development legal recognition and also give government correct data wey dem fit use for fiscal and infrastructural planning. “Just like every pikin dey get birth certificate, every building for Lagos suppose get planning permit. If e no get am, di structure no go be legal, and government no fit pay compensation if dem need di land for infrastructure projects, di commissioner talk. Mr Oluyinka explain di easy way to get planning permits, talk say state get 57 district offices wey residents fit carry dia applications go without need for middle men. He also stress say applicants must show proof say na dia land and get current tax clearance before dem fit get approval.

Once your drawings and documents complete, you go receive registration number sharp sharp, and if everything set, you go get your approval within 10 working days, Mr Oluyinka talk. He warn people to no build building without approval, say those kind structures fit face heavy penalty and demolition. You no fit drive car without licence. Na so also, no building suppose stand for Lagos State without planning permit. We go sabi and we go act,” he talk. According to am, di ongoing stakeholders’ week dey include debates and interactive sessions with school children, professional town planners, architects, engineers, surveyors, estate developers, and market leaders, all to build culture wey go make people dey follow rules by choice. Mr Oluyinka also add say di state government dey work together with federal tax authorities to make requirements easier and encourage developers to comply. He talk say, “Most people wey dey apply for planning permits no dey pay tax well. Under di new reforms, you must show proof say you don pay tax before dem go process your application. Di commissioner encourage residents make dem see di permit process as investment for safety and legality, no be wahala, and say e go also increase di value and bankability of dia property. “If you carry property document wey no get planning permit go bank or embassy, e no go valid. Di permit dey protect you, your family, and your investment,” he talk. He confirm say di ministry dey committed to transparent and efficient service delivery, and government go continue to engage stakeholders to fix wahala and make things quick.