Royal Fathers and stakeholders across Ikorodu Division have appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to extend the on-going 90-Day Amnesty for buildings without approval in Lagos State.
The Stakeholders and Royal Fathers who were unanimous in their appeals, citing current economic hardships as a strong reason made the appeal yesterday during the formal presentation of the Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan hosted by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at Ikorodu Town Hall.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali who first made the suggestion commended the Commissioner, Dr Olumide Oluyinka for hosting the Stakeholders Parley.
The monarch however appealed to the Lagos State Government to extend the duration of the on-going Amnesty, noting that many residents were not economically empowered to meet up with the financial requirements.
He equally berated the bureaucracy involved in the building approval process, thus charging the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to encourage applicants by fast-tracking the building approval processes.
Oba Adeboruwa also stressed the need for strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Physical Planning and the Ministry of Drainage to stem the tide of flooding and aid the free flow of water bodies.
The monarch equally called for a review of incidents of multiple taxation involved in obtaining building approvals in the State.
The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro corroborated the position of Adeboruwa.
He equally admonished the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development officials to embrace best practices in the discharge of their duties and advised them to stop frustrating applicants.
Oba Ranodu also canvassed for proper capturing of major developments across the Division in the Master Plan, citing the example of his domain, Imota which is now a budding commercial hub, but is still regarded as a rural community in government records.
Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Ikorodu Division Apex APC Leader, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye equally applauded the formal presentation of the Master Plan, while he appealed to residents to support the State Government in the enforcement of the plan.
Many community stakeholders in their separate contributions equally pleaded with the Lagos State Government to apply human face in the implementation of the building approval processes.
In his well articulated response, the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka assured the Royal Fathers and stakeholders that every concerns raised would be properly communicated to the Governor for necessary action.
He however appealed to residents to partner with his Ministry by adhering strictly to the building approval procedures, so as to assist the government in achieving its development agenda for the Division.
He concluded by encouraging the Stakeholders to feel free to take advantage of the open-door policy of his Ministry to process their building approval papers and make necessary clarifications they may deem necessary.
The event climaxed with the formal presentation of the Ikorodu Division Master Plan to all the Royal Fathers and other dignitaries in attendance.
The event was graced by all Ikorodu Division Royal Fathers and prominent Ikorodu Division Stakeholders like a Special Adviser on Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Yekini Agbaje, a retired Lagos State Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Former Commissioner for Information, Otunba Ayodele Elesho among others.
