- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Government has disclosed plan to step up efforts to regulate and administer informal spaces across the state in line with its physical planning laws.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, made this known on Tuesday while outlining the ministry’s plans for the coming year.
Olumide, in his address, said the ministry will rely on the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019 (as amended), which gives it powers over physical planning, land-use management and development control.
He said that the responsibilities also covered regulation of informal spaces across the state.
The Commissioner described informal spaces as public open areas not meant for permanent use but which have been increasingly occupied without planning approval.
He named such areas to include road setbacks, walkways, under-bridge spaces, drainage corridors and undeveloped government land.
The commissioner said that uncontrolled use of the spaces had posed risks to public safety, mobility and the environment.
He said the aim of government taking full administrative control of informal spaces was to promote orderly land use.
He added that it would integrate urban development and curb unregulated activities in major corridors and gateways across Lagos.
Olumide disclosed that the ministry would embark on extensive sensitisation and engagement with relevant stakeholders.
These, he said, included sensitisation of government agencies, market associations, transport unions, community leaders and other interest groups.
He said such an engagement was necessary to ensure cooperation, compliance and shared ownership of the initiative.
The commissioner said that the exercise was not only regulatory but strategic.
According to him, it is designed to improve orderliness, enhance the appearance of the city, improve the use of public spaces and protect the physical environment.
He added that proper control of informal spaces would improve mobility, safety, environmental quality and overall liveability in Lagos.
Olumide reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to using professional planning tools, inter-agency collaboration and community participation to ensure order, transparency and sustainability in the exercise.