The Lagos State Government has said that it has issued a stop-work order on a petrol station illegally under construction without approval in Ajao Estate, in Isolo area of the state.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, in a statement on Thursday, said the order was important to avert disaster.
“The facility is being erected without any approval or stage-by-stage inspection by the Lagos State Building Control Agency to ascertain the quality of materials used.
“As a matter of fact, we cannot even be talking about checking for compliance against approval that was never given in the first place, and this is dangerous for the built environment as the safety and structural integrity of the facility can not be guaranteed,” he said.
Salako said that the unapproved construction had become a growing concern for residents of the area, who petitioned the government against its continuation.
While reiterating the importance of building rights, the commissioner emphasised that no construction should be carried out in Lagos State without Planning Permits and Stage certification by the regulatory authorities.
He said that the Owner or Developer of the petrol station would be sanctioned for ignoring several warnings issued against the construction by LASBCA, which had served contravention notices and stop-work orders on the builder.
Salako urged Lagos residents, particularly stakeholders in the built environment, to build rightly and support the government’s efforts to combat building collapse.
He urged them to support efforts to ensure a livable and sustainable physical environment as enshrined in the Lagos State’s Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance.
The statement was signed and made available to journalists by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Mukaila Sanusi.
NAN
