The Lagos State Government has given a 30-day final notice to owners/ occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, club houses, lounges and bars across the state without approval for change of use, to revert to the original use of the structure.
The General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki who gave the notice in his office said it applies to all structures used as bars, club houses or religious centers located within residential areas and without requisite permit from relevant authorities.
Oki noted that the notice is sequel to the distortion of the master plan of Lagos State especially residential areas by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas to club houses and worship centers thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.
He noted further that the removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners
He stated that any owner of buildings in residential areas that have been converted to church, mosque, clubs, bar or lounge without the requisite approvals should evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30 days’ final notice as the state will not give further notice of sealing but outright removal of such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners.
“We are giving them one month’s final notice from today 29th of January to revert all properties converted to churches, mosques, clubs and bars to revert to the original plan or have such buildings removed at their expenses. ‘ Oki warned.
Arc, Oki maintained that LASBCA had earlier identified the illegal and non – conforming structures and have served the statutory enforcement notices but those affected have either failed or refused to respond to the notices, hence the service of this final notice.
He averred that residents of areas designated as residential places especially elderly’s in the Lekki axis and its environs have repeatedly called on the state government to save their souls following the adverse effects the conversions of properties in the area to churches, mosques, bars, clubs and lounges is having on their health and security of the area.
He advised property owners to take this notice with all seriousness it deserves as nobody will be spared in the effort to sanitize the state in line with the Africa’s model mega city status vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
