NAN
Lagos: The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents of its housing estates against violating rules and regulations guiding their communities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola, cautioned the residents during a meeting with representatives of the Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Housing Estate Residents Association.
Mr Adesile Rufai, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry, stated this on Monday.
He was represented at the meeting by Mr Bukade Idowu-Koya, the Director of Legal Services in the ministry.
Toriola urged the residents to obey the guidelines stated in their respective letters of allocation, memoranda of understanding and deed of sub-lease.
According to him, obeying the guidelines is a civic duty of all residents.
He emphasised that following the rules was necessary for proper development, safety and environmental protection.
He stated that compliance with the rules and regulations would also support the government’s THEMES Plus Agenda of transforming Lagos into a 21st-century economy with good governance and sustainable infrastructure.
Toriola stated that the government would continue to promote eco-friendly policies, which would extend the lifespan of housing estates and maintain their good condition.
He assured the estate representatives that the ministry’s technical and monitoring teams would conduct a joint inspection of the Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Estate.
He said that the future of the estate depended on residents’ willingness to follow the rules.
The Assistant Head of the ministry’s Monitoring and Compliance Unit, Mrs Rasidat Ogunlaja, listed common violations in some housing estates, including repainting houses without approval and non-payment of service charges.
Ogunlaja also listed the violations, which include building illegal structures, converting homes into shops or offices, causing environmental problems, and subletting units without permission.
She added that the government had zero tolerance for such actions, especially misuse of open spaces or setbacks meant for other purposes.
Ogunlaja advised the residents, who might have altered their buildings or used spaces in ways not approved, to visit the ministry’s office at Alausa, Ikeja, for regularisation and necessary approvals.
