Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, has disclosed that a staggering 80 per cent of buildings in Ibeju Lekki lack proper approval.
Speaking in a recent interview with newsmen, Olumide highlighted the pervasive issue of unapproved developments in the area.
Olumide emphasized the importance of obtaining proper approvals for construction projects, noting that many estates in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe axis were observed to be without official approval during a recent inspection. He stressed that a layout permit cannot be granted if the zoning does not align with the intended purpose of the development.
Echoing similar sentiments, Jide Odusolu, Chief Executive Officer of Octo5 Holdings, lamented the distortion of Lekki Peninsula’s masterplan following rapid development post-2010. Odusolu pointed out that newer estates often bypassed established regulations, contributing to the chaotic development of the area.
Femi Oyedele, Managing Director of Fame at Oyster & Co. Nigeria, added that many estates lacked coordinated layout plans, resulting in the absence of a cohesive urban development strategy. Oyedele highlighted that historically, communities that were not part of the planned cityscape were excised by the government, further complicating the urban landscape.
