LAGOS – The Lagos State Government has spearheaded a dialogue between her and property owners in Ifako, Gbagada area, to fashion out a way forward on the subsisting suspension order on Planning Permit in the axis.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who spoke during a Stakeholders meeting in the premises of the Catholic Church, Ifako, Gbagada, said that a Suspension order was placed on Planning Permit processing and approvals in Ifako, Gbagada and surroundings last November due to observed foundation failures and distress on a number of buildings such as tilting and sinking.
He said that the problem owed its origin to the soil condition of the area, which required a huge financial outlay to rectify through pilling.
His words: “Years of sand mining activities in the area have affected the soil condition and made it not economically viable to build horizontally, given the enormous resources involved in doing about 35 to 36meters depth of pilling as required for the area”.
He added that the most practicable solution was to encourage multi-storey developments of not less than six floors that would be of many advantages to property owners and residents of the area in terms of adequate returns on investment as well as safe, organised,livable, and sustainable environment.
He stated that the meeting was living up to its expectations as the government had realised ,through valid stakeholders comments, that it might be necessary to consider those who might want to build to lesser floors, but with capacity to do the right pilling.
He urged everyone interested in erecting buildings to always check with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for the permissible use, height, and setbacks, adding that it was equally necessary to get drainage clearance for those in flood-prone areas while also being mindful of the level of the foundation against the level of the road.
With the Commissioner were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike, the lead consultant on Kosofe Model City Plan, Tpl. Ayo Adeniran and other top functionaries of the Ministry.
Landlords, members of community development associations, and human rights activists from Sholuyi, Ifako, and Gbagada participated robustly at the meeting as they applauded the effort of the State Government in reaching out with information and called for more regular engagements.