The Lagos State Building Control Agency in collaboration with other agencies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency has agreed to work together with Obalende residents to give the area a new look that befits a metropolitan city.
According to the General Manager of LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki, an architect, the state government is embarking on the initiative to pave a way for a better Obalende.
Speaking during a meeting held with the Executives of Obalende Landlords Association today at the agency’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, Oki stated that all hands must be on deck to make the regeneration plan a reality.
Speaking about the essence of the meeting, he explained that it has been established that after 100 years there should be a renewal of Obalende, pointing out that instead of the residents to tow the line of best practices, the landlords started developing the land, constructing gigantic buildings without recourse to the term of the agreement and the state-building control laws and regulations.
Oki said this was evident in all the ongoing constructions in the area as they did not have the government’s approval.
The general manager, however, agreed after much pleas from the residents that government is ready to give the landlords a month and a half to present documents they have in respect of the land to LASURA for proper scrutiny and also to LASPPPA to show proof that they have building plan approval to build the designed structure on the land.
The General Manager LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike, a town planner, revealed that the processing time to get approval is no longer cumbersome, pointing out that it could be achieved within 10 working days as long as the building owner/developer can present all statutory documents which must include evidence of tax payment to the state government.
He assured the association that they would be able to get their approval in ten days once they have gotten their clearance from LASURA.
The General Manager LASURA, Mr Ajibike Shomade, a town planner, pointed out that Obalende has become a shadow of what it used to be.
She explained that one of her agency’s assignments/responsibilities was to make Lagos a resilient, beautiful and sustainable environment.
She stated further that the agency will not allow Obalende to become a slum within a city.
She enjoined the landlords to come to the LASURA for clearance with their title documents.
The Chairman of the Obalende Landlords’ Association, Mr Olaitan Nurudeen, appreciated all the general managers for their swift response in granting them audience and stated that the reason they called for the meeting is in respect to the quit and demolition notices served to the community by the government.
He pleaded with the agencies to temper justice with mercy as most of the houses were passed down to them by their parents.
He, however, appreciated the general managers’ indulgence in expanding the time frame and affirmed that they have taken wholeheartedly what all the managers said and work would immediately begin on it.
Oki said: “A serene and liveable Obalende is a task we must not afford to fail or falter, and the time is now to work together to achieve the feat,” he insisted.
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