In a previous piece at www.propertynews.com.ng, titled “PROVE THE OWNERSHIP” I explained that getting approved building plan is one of the means of laying genuine claim of ownership on your landed property. The process of obtaining the vital document is discussed below with  the list of documents you will be required to submit anytime you are applying for approved building plan.  Although, some of the documents are not applicable to every type of development, but you will need some of them - By Ranti Adedeji 

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Introduction

It is mandatory to get approved building plan, which is a permit from appropriate authorities in the country before construction can commence on any site.

Obtaining an approved building plan is an indication that the proposed building complies with statutory building laws and regulations. Besides, it is an evidence to proof that appropriate authorities or agencies are aware of such construction.

Therefore, obtaining an approved building plan from the State’s Physical Planning and Development Authority, a parastatal under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, is the very first step to take before you can start your building in any part of the State.

To do otherwise, one may incur the wrath of government monitoring agency, especially the State’s Building Control Agency, which “was established to ensure that all building construction works are carried out according to specifications and thorough drawing detailing, according to minimum standard stipulated by Building Codes.”

So, it is expected that stakeholders obtain approved building plan before mobilizing to site; and adhere strictly to them while construction is going on. Any deviation from this rule can lead to sealing off the project site as their structural stability cannot be ascertained or deemed to have complied with urban development regulations. Besides, such buildings are considered as being prone to imminent collapse.

As a forewarning, the State’s physical planning permit authority,  building control agency or new towns development authority, can red-mark such developments and ask the owner to obtain his approved building plan.

However, if the default persists, the owner of such building or his contractor, risks an arrest; while the building risks being pulled down by a special monitoring task force.

Read full article at: www.propertynews.com.ng