Lagos State Government has cautioned residents of the state against undue interference in the application of physical planning laws.
The state’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, who gave the warning when he received the progress report of the state’s physical planning and building control appeal committee, at the weekend, said the committee was a brilliant idea, which brought about the needful interface between government and the people as far as application of physical planning laws was concerned.
The commissioner said it was interesting that such a body was provided to check excesses on the side of government officials and the people.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the committee, Ayodele Adediran, thanked the ministry’s leadership for easing the task of the committee, adding that the ministry had been of great assistance in meeting challenges faced by the committee.
He highlighted the achievements of the committee in the last three years to include consideration of 80 cases brought before it, 40 of which had been decided; hearing of petition by the Lagos State Government on regional road alignment and awarding compensation against the government in a case of wrongful demolition.
The Special Adviser, e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, who spoke at the forum, urged the committee not to relent in hearing cases concerning erring members of staff, as well as enjoined the ministry to assist in the smooth running of the quasi-tribunal.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Abiola Kosegbe, commended the committee for its unbiased handling of petitions referred to it at different instances by the government and members of the public.
