LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday approved the immediate lifting of the embargo on the grant of planning permit for the construction of Petrol Filling Stations (PFS) in the state.
The governor also approved the implementation of a reviewed guideline detailing the requirements to be met by operators seeking planning permits for PFS and gas plants in the state.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, made this known while addressing newsmen in his office, recalling that the embargo being lifted now was placed on April 26, 2017 during the annual Ministerial Press Briefing of the Lagos State government.
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He further recalled that following the directive, the state government through the ministry and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also placed embargo on the approval of gas plants due to the reoccurring fire outbreaks as a result of non-compliance with standard safety measures.
“By this approval, the state government seeks to ensure safe and orderly siting, operation and management of (PFS) and gas plants for the overall safety of Lagosians,” the commissioner said.
According to him, the embargo had been done to check the proliferation of petrol filling stations and gas plants and its consequences on safety of lives and property, adding that the state government was also concerned about improving the aesthetic value and the efficiency of operation in the planning, building control and urban regeneration of the state
“With the reviewed guidelines, investors intending to embark on developments of this nature and existing operators are directed to strictly comply with the provisions of the reviewed templates,” Ogunleye said.
“Investors are enjoined to apply for Planning Information from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development before embarking on any developments in order to have firsthand information about the kind of development that can be done in a specific area of the state,” he added.
According to him, “Planning Information is a free service rendered by the Ministry to the public providing information on land use zoning, permissible use, plot size, building coverage and height, deviation setback, airspaces and parking requirements.”
While appealing to all relevant stakeholders and the general public to ensure the successful implementation of the new guidelines, the commissioner, however, warned that erring developers would be penalized according to the relevant laws.
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