The Lagos State Government has announced its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), the state chapter, to strengthen the enforcement of physical planning laws and ensure sustainable urban development across the state.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by NIOB members on Monday.
He emphasised that strict adherence to approved layouts and building plans is the most effective safeguard against structural failures and building collapses.
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Olumide stated that the ministry would no longer tolerate construction sites operating without the oversight of registered and competent building professionals.
He identified several factors as the primary causes of compromised development outcomes.
These included substandard designs and professional negligence, excessive client interference and political pressures, as well as human errors and non-compliance with planning standards.
“Effective development control begins from strict adherence to approved layouts, building plans, and professional standards at the earliest stages of construction,” Olumide remarked, adding that the Ministry will continue to insist on “planning discipline” throughout Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, highlighted that deeper collaboration with professional bodies like the NIOB is essential for strengthening enforcement.
He noted that early compliance by developers significantly reduces the wastage of resources and avoidable losses.
Echoing this, the General Manager of the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority (LASISMA), Daisi Oso, urged developers to embrace land-use conformity to promote a more orderly physical environment.
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The Chairman of the NIOB Lagos State Chapter, Owolabi Ayoola, expressed the Institute’s commitment to supporting the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in the built environment.
Veteran builder Kunle Awobodu also praised the ministry for its efforts in entrenching discipline within the industry, noting that non-compliance with approved building plans remains a major hurdle for the construction sector in Nigeria.
