Lagos to demolish structures under high-tension cables

Poised to maintain a liveable and friendly environment, the Lagos State Government has expressed its resolve to implement the State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010.

The law did not only prohibits building under the centre-line of over-head electricity wires, it also in very clear terms specified the distance to be observed between a property and a public utility such as the PHCN High Tension Cables.

Lagos State Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Anifowoshe Abiola, a town planner in a statement said, the state will establish zero tolerance for all structures and property built under high-tension cables across the state.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, he said, had noted with dismay the flagrant disobedience of building regulations in the state, and have therefore resolved to ensure removal of all structures that are in contravention of the law.

To achieve this, property owners have been given seven days to vacate buildings on the right of way of High Tension Electricity cables.

He said: “Buildings on the Right of Way (ROW) of High Tension Electricity Cables are dangerous, illegal and a source of serious concern to the State Government”

“Having residential buildings or conducting business under High Tension Power Lines constitute a danger to lives and properties that could have fatal consequences”, he added.

According to him, the state’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, not only prohibits building under the centre-line of over-head electricity wires, it also in very clear terms specified the distance to be observed between a Property and a public utility such as the PHCN High Tension Cables.

“The State Government, through its relevant Ministries and Agencies will henceforth, enforce applicable law strictly by removing all development and activities encroaching on the Right of Way of utilities and services” the commissioner added.

The statement further mentioned the “required setback for buildings from the centre-line of overhead wires and horizontal distance between such buildings of not less than 6 meters for 11KV wire lines, while 9 meters is the recommended distance for 33KV wire lines.