By Kamil Opeyemi
The Government of Lagos on Wednesday issued a quit notice to owners of buildings that have been converted for other uses other than the original plans that were approved. The government said owners of such properties have 30 days of grace to revert to the originally approved plans to have the structures removed in line with the state’s building regulations. The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, who issued the notice recently, said, the order applies to all structures used for the aforementioned purposes located within residential areas and without requisite permit from relevant authorities.
Oki noted that the notice is a sequel to the distortion of the masterplan of Lagos State, especially residential areas, by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centres thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.
He noted further that the removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.
Oki stated that any owner of buildings in residential areas that have been converted to churches, mosques, clubs, bars or lounges without the requisite approvals should evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30 days’ final notice as the state will not give further notice of sealing but outright removal of such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners.
“We are giving them one month’s final notice from the 29th of January to revert to the original plan or have such buildings removed at their expense”, Oki warned.
He maintained that LASBCA had earlier identified the illegal and non-conforming structures and had served the statutory enforcement notices but those affected have either failed or refused to respond to the notices, hence the service of this final notice.
He averred that residents of areas designated as residential places, especially the elderly in the Lekki axis and its environs have repeatedly called on the state government to save their souls following the adverse effects of the conversion of property in the area to churches, mosques, bars, clubs and lounges is having on their health and security in the area.