Don't Get Ripped Off By Imposters, Know The Relevant Agencies...

Lagos State is one of the states in Nigeria where construction works is always going on. Hence, the need for Agencies to regulate, monitor and enforce proper construction and safety of all. But when you don't know which agency is involved in building construction and what function they perform, you can be ripped off by several dubious officers of the agency and imposters claiming to be from these agencies.

These has lead to frustration of many construction owners and developers in Lagos State, and many have been hurt by the dubious activities of some of these officers and imposters.

If you are planning on developing a property in Lagos State, it is best you equip yourself with the relevant agencies that could visit your site and ensure you get all your necessary documentation before commencing construction.

Here is a comprehensive list of these agencies, their function and what documents they require you have;

1. Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA)

This Agency is in-charge of issuing Planning Permit for anyone who intend to develop a building in Lagos State. There mandate is to process and issue Planning Permit for new construction and Renovation Permit for existing structure requiring renovation or reconstruction.

They can visit your construction site to request for your approval building plan (aka Planning Permit) and close such site when they fail to provide it.

They have offices in all the LGA called district offices in Lagos State and you can visit their website to see where their office is located in the district you want to build. They also offer electronic e-permit service as a do it yourself online service.

See list of document required for getting an Planning Permit.

2. Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)

This Agency is mandated to ensure that buildings in Lagos State are built to standard, by professional and with proper documentations. They are in charge of monitoring and enforcing proper construction within Lagos State and any structure without proper documentation and/or proper construction can be sealed off and such structure also run the risk of being demolished by this Agency.

This agency works in hand with Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) to ensure that there is no illegal development/construction in Lagos State. They issue Authorization to Commence Construction letter to individuals who, after getting their Planning Permit, write to the Agency a letter of intention to commence construction.

This Agency then conducts stage certification by monitoring construction works and issuing reports of each stage of construction. This allows them to present the owner/developer of any construction works that is built to standard, according to their approved building plan, with a Certificate of Completion and Fitness For Habitation.

Once you have your Planning Permit, process to LASBCA district office within your site location for more information on how to write and submit a letter of intention to commence construction and how to get a Green Sticker (A symbol of government monitoring of your site).

3. Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL)

This agency's main objective is to test the materials using for quality assurance. They offers laboratory activities and testing services on Sub-soil Investigation, Concrete, Steel, Cement, Water and Chemical Test, chemical, calibration, NDT, Aggregate, Test on Asphaltic Concrete (Bituminous Road) etc. and there main office is located in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos.

The Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory helps Engineers/Builders to understand and quantify whether a specific material or treatment is suitable for a particular application. Officers of this agency can visit your site and request for report on any material used on your construction site.

4. Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC)

The Lagos State Safety Commission is responsible for the coordination of all Government matters relating to the safety of lives and property of Lagos residence. The Commission is vested with powers to formulate policies, provide advisory and be the regulatory body on safety related issues.

This agency is saddled with the responsibility of anything that has to do with safety in Lagos State, including safety on construction site. For this reason, officers of the commission can visit your construction site especially when it is two floors (one storey) and above.

They would insist your workers have safety kits and the environment is safe for workers. And can proceed to seal up any construction without a safety certificate or a safety board.

You can contact their office at Block 18 B, 2nd & 3rd floor, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, for more information on how to get a safety certificate and safety board for your construction site.

5. Local Government Officers

Every Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos have a physical planning and urban development branch that is in charge with building and road development within the LGA.

Officers of the Local Government where your building is being erected can visit your site to request for your development permit and stacking permit.

The development permit is a levy the local government charges for construction within the area and its paid once. Also, the stacking permit is request if and when you have your construction materials outside your property and on the street. This fee is also a one-time payment.

6. Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA)

The mission of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) is to safeguard environmental quality that is consistent with the social and economic needs of the State, so as to protect health, welfare, property and quality of life.

So when you build on drainage path or on canal set back, expect a visit from officers of this agency. When your construction would affect the environment adversely or endanger lives and property, you can expect to be shut down by this agency.

CONCLUSION
Basically these are the different agencies that anyone who wish to build in Lagos State have to expect on their construction site and its best to comply with the policy of these agency to avoid seal up and demolition.

We hope these list is comprehensive enough and would assist you better as you forge ahead to develop any property in Lagos State.

Please share and let others equip themselves with adequate information so as not to get ripped off by imposters and dubious persons.

Saheed S
08127626922