The commissioner for physical planning and urban development in Lagos, Oluyinka Olumide, says 80 percent of buildings in the Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor have no government approval.

Olumide made this known to newsmen following backlash towards The Lagos state government for the demolition of buildings and shanties across that state.

Olumide said despite the rigorous procedures involved in securing government approval, property developers and owners are still circumventing due process.

He says the procedure to get approval is first to get the planning information, as to what those areas have been zoned for. However, many families have purchased agricultural lands and built houses on them without permission, leading to their demolition.

Recall that the commissioner for environment in Lagos,
Tokunbo Wahab said the demolished structures were erected in contravention of the city’s masterplan, were never approved by the relevant agencies, and occluded drainage channels.