Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the extension of the amnesty period for owners and developers of buildings without proper planning approvals until December 31, 2024.
The deadline, initially set for the end of October, has been extended to give more property owners the opportunity to regularize their buildings without incurring statutory penalties.
The governor made the announcement during the Lagos State Physical Planning Summit, organized by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, with the theme: “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity,” held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island.
Initially, the Lagos State Government had provided a 90-day amnesty period from May 2 to July 30, 2024, allowing owners of existing developments to obtain planning permits without paying the usual fines for erecting buildings without prior approval. Due to the high number of applications, Governor Sanwo-Olu approved an extension from August 1 to October 31, 2024. With the latest extension, property owners now have until the end of the year to benefit from the programme.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, had earlier explained that the amnesty programme not only waives penal fees but also offers a discount for payments completed within ten working days during the amnesty period.
To apply for the amnesty, applicants must submit required documents for assessment at the District Offices of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, or at the LASPPPA headquarters in Ikeja. The necessary documents include proof of ownership, survey plans, as-built architectural and structural drawings, non-destructive integrity test reports (if applicable), tax compliance evidence, and other relevant documents.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the amnesty programme is part of his administration’s efforts to mitigate the economic challenges faced by the built environment sector while promoting compliance with physical planning regulations to ensure a livable, organized, and sustainable Lagos.
