Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the extension of the amnesty period for owners and developers of buildings or structures without proper approvals until December 31, 2024.
The deadline was previously set for October ending, with the building owners expected to face penalties upon expiration.
“The amnesty period has been extended till December 31, 2024,” the governor said during the Lagos State Physical Planning Summit, organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The event, held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, had “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity” as the theme.
Earlier, Sanwo-Olu and a former governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola, stressed the need to ensure an affordable and seamless building approval process in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu wondered why any proposed building should seek multiple approvals from several agencies before proceeding with their projects.
The governor emphasised the need to streamline the process to encourage potential investors.
Fashola, who delivered the keynote address, said payments for building approvals should not be seen as revenue-generating means but as a strategy for town planning.
According to him, the state could still generate its long-term revenue through Land Use charges and other strategic means.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the theme of the event provided stakeholders the opportunity to come together and chart a course for the future of physical planning in Lagos.
“The maiden Lagos Physical Planning Summit will, over the next two days, explore the proposals in the Operative Development Plans for implementation; evaluate the level of implementation and identify challenges of implementation, associated risks and challenges to accessing finance.”
Olumide lauded Sanwo-Olu for his leadership and contribution to Lagos.
