Lagos State Commences Demolition Of Illegal Structures As Amnesty Period Ends

Lagos State Commences Demolition Of Illegal Structures As Amnesty Period Ends

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has begun the demolition of illegal structures across the state following the expiration of the amnesty period granted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. According to a statement on the agency’s website, the exercise commenced in Ogudu GRA, where officials moved in to enforce compliance with the state’s urban planning regulations.

The amnesty period, which was extended until December 31, 2024, provided property owners with the opportunity to regularize their building documents. LASBCA’s Permanent Secretary, Gbolahan Oki, stated that the enforcement drive is aimed at restoring order to the state’s physical planning landscape and ensuring public safety…READ MORE….

Oki noted that the state government had given property owners ample time to obtain the necessary approvals, with multiple notices issued before the final enforcement action. Despite these measures, some residents failed to comply, prompting the agency to take decisive steps to reclaim public spaces and mitigate the risk of building collapses.

The demolition exercise will continue in other parts of Lagos as the government intensifies efforts to sanitize the built environment, eliminate unapproved structures, and prevent environmental degradation. LASBCA reiterated its commitment to maintaining a well-organized and safe urban environment in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s development agenda.

In response to concerns about the swiftness of the enforcement, Oki emphasized that the decision followed extensive consultations and repeated warnings to defaulters. He assured that affected buildings had been duly marked and issued notices months prior, with clear compliance directives provided.

The Lagos State Government urged property owners and developers to adhere to building regulations to avoid similar enforcement actions in the future. It also reminded the public that the amnesty period, originally introduced in April 2024, was extended in August to accommodate the high volume of applications for regularization. The extension allowed property owners to obtain planning permits without incurring statutory penalties for unapproved structures.