Lagos reintroduces amnesty programme for planning permit

The Lagos State government has reintroduced the Planning Permit Amnesty Programme following appeals from property owners who missed earlier opportunities.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

The statement was issued by the Director, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Abimbola Emdin-Umeh.

Mr Olumide announced the reintroduced planning permit amnesty programme on Tuesday in Alausa.

He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the return of the programme for the third time to help owners of existing but unapproved buildings regularise their property without paying the usual penal fees charged for building without a permit.

He said the new amnesty window would run for 61 days, from November 1 to December 31, 2025.

Mr Olumide urged affected property owners and developers to use the period to perfect their building approvals.

According to him, the programme will help owners avoid future legal issues, enforcement actions and penalties, while ensuring proper documentation of developments across the state.

The commissioner listed the required documents for obtaining a planning permit to include proof of ownership or title documents, a survey plan, architectural “as-built’’ drawings, and structural, electrical and mechanical drawings where necessary.

Others are a non-destructive integrity test report, a structural stability and indemnity letter, a land use planning analysis report, evidence of tax compliance and other supporting documents.

Mr Olumide said applications would be processed according to existing town planning regulations.

He added that only buildings that meet minimum safety and planning standards would be approved under the amnesty.

He restated the government’s commitment to orderly, safe and sustainable physical development in line with its vision for a greater Lagos.

Mr Olumide said interested applicants could submit their applications at any LASPPPA district office across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs or through the Electronic Planning Permit office at LASPPPA headquarters, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja.

(NAN)