Expectedly, Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor, is always concerned about the welfare of the residents of the state. To further ensure their safety, he has placed an embargo on approval for the construction of filling stations in all parts of the state until further notice.
Wasiu Anifowose, commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State, revealed this Tuesday in Lagos.
Anifowose explained that government had already resolved not to grant construction permit for filling stations pending the inventory of existing ones.
Alimosho said Anifowose said the decision of government was necessary in view of the need to take proper inventory of the existing filling stations with the view to determining those that should be removed to ensure public safety.
“What happened in Alimosho was because of pipeline vandalism. If people have not been greedy to vandalize pipeline, we will not be witnessing what is happening. But be rest assured that no permit for filling station in Lagos State till further notice. I have told the General Manager of the concerned agency; the management team of the agency has taken a decision and we will not grant any approval until we take inventory and see what we have,” said Anifowose.
He also said the state government was working with the federal government to relocate Tank Farms in residential areas in Apapa, adding that a definite pronouncement would be made in that in regard in due course.
“When this government came on board, what we did was that we set up a Committee and they are going round the State to take inventory of Event Centres. I like to state categorically that any development that does not comply with the Master Plan of the area of location will be removed. So, our agency is already working on it and they should be able to give us report in the next three to four weeks,” continued Anifowose.
On activities of the ministry in the last one year, Anifowose said due to proactive steps and reforms initiated, the State Government achieved considerable reduction in building collapse, and reiterated that it was still an offence in the State for any physical developments including renovation, fencing, demolition and so on to be embarked upon without approval.
Anifowose said due to proactive steps and reforms initiated, the State Government achieved considerable reduction in building collapse. He reiterated that it was still an offence in the State for any physical developments including renovation, fencing, demolition and so on to be embarked upon without approval. “I must urge all Lagosians to partner with the State Government in reporting illegal developments and developers or owners of buildings who cut corners and use substandard materials in construction work. Furthermore, it is considered a necessity that prospective buyers or tenants should demand for the Planning Permit or Layout Approval of a building or estate respectively before down payments are made, to deter developers or owners from circumventing the law,” Anifowose said.
A total of 5,499 structures were served with Contravention and Stop Work Notices, while between May 2016 and February 2017, a total of 2,340 plans were submitted and out of which 1,078 were granted Planning Permits, said Anifowose. He added that 242 applications for Planning Information were received while 174 were approved.