The Lagos State Government has warned developers not to abuse the state’s whistleblower policy.
Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, issued this warning in Alausa, Lagos, in response to media reports about the inauguration of an enforcement team by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria at the Nigerian Institute of Builders conference.
According to Mukaila Sanusi, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, the commissioner urged stakeholders not to confuse the state government’s offer of partnership in whistleblowing with the mandate to enforce the law.
He noted that whistle-blowing was for maintaining vigilance and reporting observed infractions in the built environment to the appropriate authorities, and not an avenue to take the laws into one’s own hands.
He said, “The Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended clearly vested the responsibility to regulate the built environment of the State in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its Agencies whilst Government had not ceded the responsibility to any group or individuals.
