The Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Lagos State Branch, yesterday bemoaned recent attacks on officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) in Ajao Estate area of Lagos.
ATOPCON urged residents to desist from such behaviour in the interest of enhancing physical development across the state. Reacting to the incident, Chairman, ATOPCON Lagos Branch, Dr. Kola Olayiwola, said the most disturbing aspect of the attack was that the assaulted officials were not only officials of the Lagos State government, but on official assignment, carrying out their lawful duties.
He said: “The officials were enforcing the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law and Regulations on removal of an illegal Petrol Filling Station (PFS) facility located within Ajao Estate in Oshodi-Isolo Local Council of Lagos State.
“ATOPCON hereby join other peace-loving Nigerians, especially professionals in the built environment, in condemning the barbaric act in its entirety. The jungle justice involving brutal bodily attack and attempted murder of defenseless public servants is despicable and totally unacceptable.”
The association, therefore, urged the state government and the police to arrest those involved directly or remotely with a view to bringing them to face the law.
It also advocated immediate public enlightenment for stakeholders in the building industry on the relevance of creating a sustainable environment through well-co-ordinated and effective monitoring of development, as well as enforcement of the physical planning law and regulations in Lagos State.
