Lagos Commences Sitting On Physical Planning, Building Control Appeals

As the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development continues the demolition of illegal structures in different parts of the State, the Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee has called on aggrieved members of the public to channel their grievances to the committee, assuring the public of resolutions that would be in the best interest of the State and the environment.

Speaking at the Committee meeting in Alausa yesterday, Tpl. Ayodele Adediran called on owners of demolished structures or buildings marked for demolition to forward their complaints to The Chairman, Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Block 15, Alausa, Ikeja, with relevant documents.

Tpl. Adediran, who serves as the Committee Chairman, explained that the body was set up in accordance with the law, assuring that every complainant will be given a fair hearing.

He maintained that the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the present administration, especially its desire to make the State a 21st Century Economy can only be achieved if the government ensures compliance with modern urban development standards in accordance with physical planning regulations.

In his words, “We must get it right as a State in the areas of physical planning and urban development. We cannot continue doing things the usual way and expect the changes we want overnight. That’s why we want members of the public to know that all grievances emanating from development and physical planning can be objectively looked into without bias”.

The Chairman disclosed that the Committee, as part of its fact-finding function, would schedule periodic visits to some construction sites for on-the-spot assessment of claims by involved parties in any matter brought before the committee.

“The Law establishing us empowers the committee to summon the parties involved in the complaint for further interrogation on a supposed infraction, either from an individual or on the part of the government or any of its officials”, the Chairman explained.

Recall that the Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee was constituted and inaugurated by Governor Sanwo-Olu in December 2019 to resolve misunderstandings emanating from physical planning and urban development matters.