The Lagos State Government has given a 30-day final notice to owners/occupiers who converted residential buildings to churches, mosques, clubhouses, lounges and bars across the state, without approval for change of use, to revert to the original use of the structure.
TheGeneral Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, issued this notice warning that sthe order applies to all structures used for the aforementioned purposes located within residential areas and without requisite permit from relevant authorities.
<sOki noted that the notice became necessary following the distortion of the masterplan of Lagos State, especially within residential areas, by some people who showed a gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law
The offenders turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centres thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.
Beyond this, citizens had also raised concerns and repeatedly complained about non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.
Oki stated that any owner whose building in residential areas have been converted to churches, mosques, clubs, bars or lounges without the requisite approvals should evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30 days’ final notice as the state will not give further notice before sealing and outrightly removing such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners.
“We are giving them one month’s final notice from the 29th of January to revert to the original plan or have such buildings removed at their expense”
He maintained that LASBCA had earlier identified the illegal and non-conforming structures and had served the statutory enforcement notices but those affected have hitherto either failed or refused to respond to the notices.
He averred that residents of areas designated as residential places, especially the elderly in the Lekki axis and its environs have repeatedly called on the state government to save their souls following the adverse effects the conversion of properties in their areas to churches, mosques, bars, clubs and lounges is having on their health and security in the area.
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