Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday read
the riot act to developers and contractors alike, saying that the Government
would no longer tolerate flouting of building regulations in line with its
resolve to restore confidence in the building control and supervision process
to ensure a safer Lagos.
Governor Ambode, who gave the warning at the celebration of
2016 World Habitat Day organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban
Development with the theme, ‘Housing at the Centre’, held at the Adeyemi Bero
Auditorium in Alausa, said that an additional 187, 500 new houses in the next
five years would go a long way to reduce the housing deficit estimated at 2.5
million in the state.
He said that much as his administration is addressing the
challenge of housing deficit, the issue of safety concerns in the building
sector was also top priority.
“We are repositioning building control in the State with the
engagement of qualified professionals in the built environment to inject the
much required professionalism and safety.
“Delivery of decent housing cannot be achieved in a chaotic
environment. Hence, we are determined more than ever before to ensure
compliance with town planning and building control standards as well as the
implementation of our master and model city plans,” Governor Ambode said.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr.
(Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, also restated government’s commitment to simplifying
the requirements for access to land and processes for the grant of Certificate
of Occupancy and Planning Permits in the state.
He said that that the demand for shelter and new houses had
continued to rise due to population growth, increasing urbanisation and daily
influx of people into the state, however assuring that his administration would
rise to the challenge to address the situation.
According to him, “Shelter ranks next to food as a human
necessity and one of the social responsibilities of government. Provision of
affordable houses remains a major focus of this administration in our quest to
make life comfortable for the people.
“We are determined to achieve this via policy initiatives
such as Rent-To-Own scheme, Outright Purchase Home Ownership, Public/Private
Partnership and strengthening the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme,” he
said.
Also speaking, human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN),
commended the state government on the passage of the law on land grabbers,
saying it would alleviate the sufferings of land owners.
He commended Lagos State for being consistent in setting
aside a day to celebrate the World Habitat Day, saying that it was a testimony
to the fact that the government recognized the right of citizens to housing in
accordance with Rule 11 of the International Covenant on Human and Peoples’
Rights which has been ratified by Nigeria and Section 16 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended).
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Physical Planning
and Urban Development, TPL Wasiu Anifowose, said that Lagos Metropolitan Area had
attained a Mega City status due to its population of over 21 million.
"This status is not only challenging to housing provision,
but exerts pressure on infrastructure in the state. This administration is repositioning strategies of
delivering decent and affordable housing units to the citizens of Lagos," he
said.
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