Lagos State Government has insisted that due process was followed in the demolition of shanties and other illegal structures in the Oworonshoki area of the state.

Stating that property owners disregarded notices and grace periods at a press briefing yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban and Regional Planning, Gbolahan Oki, provided evidence, stating that the residents were given enough time to obtain planning permits during the state government’s amnesty programme for unapproved buildings.

He added that the amnesty began with a 90-day window from May to July 2024, which was extended to October 2024 and finally to December 2024.

According to him, despite efforts by the government to get the landlords and property owners to comply with building permits, only two or three landlords took advantage of the grace, and their buildings were not demolished, but others ignored all warnings.

Oki said Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) officials, together with community leaders and traditional leaders, engaged the residents through meetings and sensitisation before the demolition.

Oki stated that most of the demolished buildings were distressed, blocking drainage channels and posing security threats. He added that some tilted backwards, and had visible cracks, and were only patched with paint to look safe.

Oki said: “The government cannot allow people to live in houses that are not fit for habitation. We are now insisting that every property in Lagos must have a certificate of fitness for habitation.”

According to the permanent secretary, obtaining a planning permit now takes 10 to 15 days once the necessary documents are submitted. He noted that the office issuing the permit had been decentralised, adding that the demolitions were not carried out in secret.

A three-minute video showing marked buildings and community meetings at Oworonshoki was presented during the interaction. Oki stressed that the demolition was necessary to safeguard lives, improve drainage, and enhance security in the area.

For ease of doing business in the metropolis, the government reassured investors, developers and home builders that the issuance of planning approval would be within 10 days.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, reechoed the move at the event themed, “State of the Environment” in the state.

According to him, the requirements are simple and clear, comprising architectural drawings, structural drawings, technical planning reports, and all the engineering reports from structural engineers, and soil tests if required. In addition, he said that there must be evidence of tax payment by the prospective applicants before planning approval can be granted.