The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday cautioned estate developers against erecting structures without necessary approvals by the state government.
The Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Setonji David, gave the warning while responding to complaints of the residents of the over 400 units of duplexes in Lekki Gardens, Phase 3.
The lawmaker decried the rate at which people built houses without approvals.
David said: “It is very unfortunate that people build illegal structures in Lagos State.
“What we have here are illegal structures.
“I will advise them – the developers – to go to the ministry to get approvals.
“I will also advised them not to involve in any project without government approval.
“These are situations where buildings collapse and the blame comes back to the government.
“Our people should get necessary approvals before embarking on projects for their safety.”
He said that the ministry was doing its possible to ensure compliance with building regulations, but needed the cooperation of the residents.
“ Our people should do the right thing. The government cannot be everywhere.
“The developers should do the needful. They should consult the ministry, which has experts on buildings.”
Meanwhile, the residents of the estate have written a petition addressed to the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
In the petition dated March 8, 2017, and copied to the Assembly, the residents alleged illegalities by the developers.
In the petition jointly signed by their Chairman, Mr Ibe Ene, and Secretary, Mr Lanre Kuforiji,
The residents outlined challenges they are facing on the estate.
During a visit to the estate, the lawmaker said that the developer had built structures and handed same to the residents without government approval.
He directed an end to constructions on the estate.
He gave the assurance that the committee would continue to ensure that getting building approvals would be easy.
The Chairman of the Lekki Gardens Phase 3 Residents Association, Mr Ibe Ene, told the lawmaker that efforts made to get things done according to law on the estate by its management proved abortive.
“We paid our money in full before the buildings were constructed but till today, the developer did not deliver what we signed for.
“They promised to give us good drains, but these were not done.
“They are building structures that have no approvals in the same pattern with the one that had problem last year in one of their estates.
“In order not to fall victims, we cried to the House of Assembly and the ministry for help,” he said.
The Chief Estate Relations Officer of Lekki Gardens, Mr Rotimi Ajiloye, said that the company would look into all the issues critically and make necessary adjustments.
Ajiloye added that the company would ensure standards.
He appealed to the residents to be patient with the company to enable to address all the issue. (NAN)
AYO/IGO