The Lagos State Government has granted property owners without approval a three-month amnesty window to obtain their planning permits without paying any penalty to the government.
It said that the window been approved by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration will open on May 2nd and end July 30, 2024, to assist all property owners aiming to obtain valid documents on their structures cushion the effects.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka, disclosed this while responding to questions from journalists during a stakeholders meeting held on the new Alimosho Master plan.
He said: ”From this time, will start the amnesty programme for those that have completed their property, and already using them without permits.
“They should use consultants to generate the necessary documents and come forward; the properties will be given permits. It will run for a period 90 days, and we’re not going to charge any penalty,” Oluyinka added.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, explained that an applicant is expected to submit for assessment, his/her title document or proof of ownership, survey plan, as-built architectural drawings, and structural, electrical, and mechanical drawings (where applicable).
He said they were to submit them through district offices of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, in the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State, and the Electronic Planning Permit office at the LASPPPA headquarters in Ikeja, the state capital.
“Other documents to be submitted for assessment are non-destructive integrity test report (where applicable), letter of structural stability and indemnity (where applicable), land use planning analysis report, evidence of tax compliance, and other supporting documents, where applicable,” Sotire said.
He added that the amnesty programme was intended to help property owners regularise their building documents and cushion the effect of current economic hardships on the environment sector.
Sotire said, ”The amnesty programme which is part of measures of the Lagos State Government to cushion the effect of current economic hardships on the built environment sector, also offers additional relief of five per cent discount on payments completed within ten working days during the amnesty period.”