The Lagos State Government on Thursday, warned developers and residents against construction on drainage channels and alignment.
Mr Bode Agoro, Lagos State Head of Service (HoS) gave the warning at the day two of the fourth Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibition in Lagos.
The event is organised by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).
Agoro stated that developers should also familiarise with the zoning regulations to ensure that land use was in accordance with the state’s master plan.
According to him, developers should conduct their search on status of land they intend to purchase at Land Bureau and Office of the State Surveyor General to guide against procurement of government’s acquired and committed land.
”The administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing its best to ensure proper development and compliance with planning standards and regulations.
“It is, however, disheartening that illegal developers still carry out nefarious activities without minding the after effect of their action on the environment.
“Zoning helps allocate land for different purposes, such as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational.
“We must all ensure that developments adhere strictly to environmental standards, especially in areas prone to flooding or other environmental challenges,” he said.
The HoS noted that activities of the residents affected the aesthetics values of the state and also created environmental hazards such as flooding, slums development and existence of urban miscreants.
He advised developers to work closely with all relevant departments and government agencies such as: Land Bureau, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of Transportation and Lagos State Safety Commission.
He stressed that the stake was high when considering the implementation of city planning, hence, the government and residents should play their part to achieve a planned city.
“Adhering to building approval, permit and land use planning is crucial for sustainable and orderly urban development.
“Lagos is a rapidly growing city with its unique challenges, hence, effective land administration is essential to manage the complexities associated with the uncontrolled movement of people from hinterland to the state,” he said. Agoro further said that developers should be mandated to register with LASRERA so that they could be held traceable and accountable as well as be prosecuted.
He added that developers should also be made to compensate unsuspecting house buyers whose buildings had been demolished for not adhering to government regulations.
In his remarks, Sen.Wasiu Eshilokun, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, acknowledged that private investors had done well for some decades to promote the real estate sector, especially within the Lekki-Ajah corridor.
Eshilokun said that advocacy, continual engagement and collaboration of all stakeholders was utmost to improve the built industry.
He advised realtors to ensure that they got all necessary approvals, while the state government should enforce insurance policy during or post construction, as this was the surest way to mitigate building disaster.