Lagos State Authority Reaffirms Law-Based Demolition Policy
The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) has issued a firm rebuttal against claims of ethnic bias in its ongoing enforcement exercises. The Authority’s General Manager, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike, emphasized that the sealing and demolition of structures are conducted strictly in accordance with the Lagos State Building Laws, without targeting any specific tribe, community, or group. This statement aims to address public concerns and clarify the regulatory framework guiding urban development.
Osinaike detailed that enforcement actions are uniformly applied across all districts of Lagos State, based solely on violations of building permits and planning regulations. He advised property owners to disregard unfounded claims suggesting the exercises target non-indigenes. Instead, he urged compliance with approved plans and proactive engagement with LASPPPA district offices upon receiving a contravention notice. Recent operations in Amuwo, Festac, Ojo, and Iba districts underscore the widespread application of these rules, much like financial audits in other sectors, such as the recent NIDF reports N23.6 billion in managed assets, which highlight systematic review processes.
The state government’s position comes amid accusations of ethnic bias, particularly concerning areas like the Trade Fair Complex and Alaba, where many traders of Igbo descent operate. Officials have consistently denied these allegations. The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Olumide Oluyinka, explained that demolitions, such as those at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, address illegal constructions lacking statutory approvals and violating safety standards. He noted that defaulters were given ample opportunity for regularization and that officials faced harassment while serving notices, a situation distinct from legal actions like an alleged N4bn fraud case or Europol arrests 10 suspects in coordinated international operations.
LASPPPA’s insistence on technical compliance mirrors a global trend where regulatory bodies enforce standards without prejudice, whether in urban planning or in emerging tech and financial sectors. This approach is akin to how companies like OpenAI introduce ads to sustain operations or how global ventures like Chinese investments lithium projects proceed under strict regulatory frameworks. The Authority reaffirms its commitment to orderly development, safety, and sustainable urban planning across Lagos, asserting that its actions are foundational to the state’s growth and stability.
