The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, advocates total compliance with planning standards, warning that non-compliance poses serious risks to lives, property and the physical environment.
The Commissioner disclosed this while receiving members of the Institute during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos State Chapter, to the Ministry recently.
Olumide said, “The State Government’s focus is on proactive physical planning measures, stressing that effective development control begins with strict adherence to approved layouts, building plans, and professional standards at the earliest stages of construction.
“Compliance with planning regulations remains the most effective safeguard against structural failure, while linking failures in development outcomes to compromised planning standards, substandard designs, excessive client interference, political pressures, and human errors.”
According to the Commissioner, developments carried out without due regard to physical planning approvals and supervision by qualified professionals pose serious risks to lives, property, and the physical environment.
Olumide further stated that any construction site operating without the engagement of registered and competent building professionals should not be allowed to proceed, adding that the Ministry would continue to insist on professionalism and planning discipline across the state.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, emphasising the importance of sustained public awareness ofof planning laws and regulations, said the government was open to deeper collaboration with professional bodies to strengthen compliance and enforcement, as early compliance with physical planning requirements would significantly reduce avoidable losses and wastage of resources.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, Daisi Oso, also highlighted the need for developers to embrace proper planning, land-use conformity, and strict adherence to approvals to significantly reduce development failures and promote a more orderly physical environment.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter, Owolabi Ayoola, stated that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as a critical stakeholder in the built environment.
