The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has commenced the prosecution of offenders who contravened the provisions of the State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2010 at the Special Offences Court.

According to the General Manager, LASBCA, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, the Agency has issued 83 summons against the offenders in different parts of the State and the Court had convicted 53 of them while the remaining cases are pending in court.

He said, “The 53 prosecuted offenders had been lawfully tried and convicted accordingly with an option of fine at the discretion of the court”.

Shodeinde stated that the offenders are being prosecuted for different contraventions and other related offences as stipulated in the building law which includes erection of structure without a planning permit contrary to Section 27 (1) of the Law and punishable under Section 75 (1) of the Law; breaking of government seals or removal of any mark placed on a contravening structure by or with order of the Agency punishable under Section 75 (2) of the Law; and failure to insure a building as required by the law contrary to Section 75 (3) of the Law.

The General Manager reiterated that LASBCA is an Agency of government working within the ambit of the law with a desire for a better and well plan city, as well as with developers/builders to ensure compliance to the approval granted and also monitoring for safety of the structure being developed.

In his words “We are more concerned about the safety of the people by making sure that their abode is safe and secured”.

He reaffirmed government's zero tolerance to building collapse in the State and the need to build right.

Shodeinde, however, appealed to all Lagosians to apply and obtain their building plan permit before commencing the construction of any structure, urging compliance with the Lagos State Government Laws relating to the approval granted.

He emphasised the need for the Agency's officers to be involved in the certification of buildings.

https://www.facebook.com/492378324116772/posts/2039701446051111/