Fashola criticizes overregulation of construction in Lagos
…calls for streamlined permitting process
Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has voiced concerns over the excessive number of regulatory agencies overseeing construction in the state, warning that the current system hampers investment.
He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Physical Planning Summit organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
The summit, themed “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Mega City,” aims to reshape the state’s approach to urban development and attract new investment.
Fashola, while acknowledging the strides made by the current administration under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in improving infrastructure, urged the state government to simplify the construction permitting process.
He argued that reducing the number of regulatory bodies would make the state more appealing to investors and encourage growth in the sector.
Fashola also emphasized the importance of tackling youth unemployment through talent support facilities and called for an expansion of housing projects.
In his address, he urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to speed up the completion of critical infrastructure projects, including the Epe Waste Collector and Recycling Plant, the Adiyan Water Project (Phase 2), and the Olusosun waste management project.
He further encouraged the reclamation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes from commercial transporters and the development of Lagos’s waterways transportation system.
In addition to infrastructure, Fashola highlighted sports and entertainment as key areas that could serve as solutions to youth unemployment in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who officially opened the summit, described its theme as pivotal in the state’s mission to become a 21st-century smart city. He encouraged urban planners to embrace innovative practices that meet international standards, aligning with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda to advance Lagos’s development.
Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, noted that the summit brings together experts in urban planning, legal analysis, and project finance to explore sustainable strategies for the state.
The discussions are expected to shape future investments and development in line with Lagos’s Operative Development Plans (ODPs).
