The Ogun State government has stated that the goal of physical planning laws and regulations is to aid urban development and control land use in the public interest.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Tunji Odunlami stated this on Monday at a press conference held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He noted that the goal of the ongoing exercise in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode local government areas is not to victimize any law-abiding citizens but to ensure that development laws are obeyed.
He stated that the exercises are aimed at verifying the permit status of all types of developments, including houses, schools, hospitals, and other commercial buildings.
The owners of such properties, Odunlami noted, were served due notices to approach the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, an agency of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, to present relevant documents in conformity with existing building laws and regulations.
“It is pertinent to note that this is a daily routine and ongoing activity of this agency and is devoid of witch-hunting, and therefore not designed to harm the interests of any individual.
“It is a simple and transparent approach that is known and adopted worldwide, including in most states in Nigeria. What we are currently doing is no exception.
“This exercise has been done in Abeokuta and is now extended to Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode, where there is no fuss except this one. It is also going to be carried out in Ota and Ilaro, where we also have GRAs,” he said.
The Commissioner emphasized that the owner of any building served with the notice only needs to approach the office that issued the notice and present their permit and other documents for verification.
“As we speak, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has yet to do so or make any representation to that effect.”
“That is why whenever OGSG issues enforcement notices, genuine developers respond through the proper channels by justifying their developments or seeking plan adjustments and ratifications.”
TPL Tunji Odunlami affirmed that the state government has a standing mandate to enforce its physical planning laws and does so every day across the State, considering only the law and public good.
The identity of developers, the commissioner maintained, does not feature in its considerations, adding that the current enforcement notices issued are not different, as they form only a small part of several enforcement notices issued this month.
“While OGSG does not concede the stated ages or stages of these developments, the law is clear – the State Physical Planning Law and all regulations under it are enforceable at any time and for all time on all developments in the State, including developments that preceded the law,” he said.
Highlighting the content of the law, the commissioner said: “Section 73 of the State’s Physical Planning Law provides that an enforcement notice may be issued under subsection (I) of this Section, notwithstanding that the unauthorized development, renovation, alteration, repair, addition, or violation took place before the commencement of this Law.”
