LASG Talk Say Trade Fair Buildings No Get Approval

As people dey vex and dey confused over how dem demolish buildings for Lagos Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State Government accuse Peter Obi (di Labour Party candidate for 2023) say he dey mislead di public and dey use emotional theatrics to twist truth for di demolition matter. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Information Commissioner, talk say Obi dey tell false story: di owners of di demolished buildings no get approval at all. Government give dem plenty time to fix dia papers when dem announce general amnesty last year, and dem extend am many times. But dem owners refuse to use that chance. When Physical Planning officials stroll go di complex, gates don lock for dia faces; dem beat dem. Police come rescue dem. When government invite di owners for talk, dem say dem no want come; dem really no come. Dia own defence be say di Management Board of Trade Fair give dem permission to build. That one na lie. That Board, wey na creation of Federal Government to manage di complex no get power to approve or control building development for di complex without Lagos State Government sanction. Physical planning and building approvals na work wey concern state governments. According to di Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) wey Lagos State don use arrange dia own Physical Planning and Development law any building or development for any corner of Lagos must get planning permit from di Lagos State Government through dia Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Omotoso come add say, even di Supreme Court don settle dis matter since 2003 for di case between Lagos State and Federal Government. Di judgment talk say land use and planning na joint responsibility (concurrent jurisdiction), and state governments get power to control and approve building plans even on federal lands unless na core federal zones like barracks or military areas. According to am, di Trade Fair Complex Board fit manage lease, rent and business activities, but if person wan build, change structure or do any development, dem still need Lagos State planning permit. If dem no get am, that building go count as illegal under Lagos law, and government get right to seal or demolish am. He come add say, Di board fit give space and permission to use am, but na only Lagos State Government fit give building approval. We gats ask ourselves we wan society wey dey follow law, or one wey dey run on emotions and politics? He come talk say Obi no talk true when he yan say Lagos State no get right to enforce Physical Planning Laws for Trade Fair Complex. Omotoso say im shock as Obi dey praise di traders for wetin he call dia restraint. He talk say Obi just dey do emotional theatrics, call di matter a test of impunity, justice and compassion all na to mislead people with wrong info, and that one, according to am, e no dey fair at all.