Lagos to digitise housing delivery process

As part of plans to fast-track data processing for increased efficiency and reduce inconveniences occasioned by prospective allottees and investors, the Lagos State government is set to digitize two core departments in the Ministry of Housing.

While commenting on the strides made by the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai stated that the departments concerned are the Estate Department which has the responsibility of processing applications for homeownership and the Physical Planning and Survey Department which is vested with the duty of interfacing with prospective joint venture partners

His words: “We believe that the digitisation process will bring conveniences to all as information can be accessed and exchanged between the ministry and the public at all times.

“It will also bring about improved productivity and real time data processing since the documents of all prospective allottees and investors can be verified online.

“The digitisation process will not only help to fast track processing of documents but also aid data collection promote greater resource management as well as protect archival documents for future references.

“This is in response to global trends of increasing system proficiency and ease in work processes.”

Meanwhile, in a bid to rid Lagos State of distressed and ensure building collapse is averted, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has demolished about 15 buildings in some parts of the state.

LASBCA explained the exercise was consistent with the state’s vision to achieve zero tolerance on building collapse and haphazard development within Lagos.

In a chat with journalists, the agency’s boss, Gbolahan Oki opined that the affected buildings were either identified as weak, erected on drainage channels and structures found on setbacks approved for canals.

He explained that some of the identified highly distressed structures were demolished at Ogunbule street, Bariga; Fadahunsi Street, Ijeshatedo; Adedoyin Olushola Street, Gbagada; Ailegun Street, Ejigbo; Augustine Anozie Street, Lekki and Breadfruit Street, Lagos.

He said the buildings failed Non –Destructive Structural Integrity Test while some were haphazard and non-conforming buildings built on drainage channels before their demolition

“Consequently, the buildings have been served all the statutory enforcement notices in consonance with the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019 as amended with no response from the respective owners/developers before the full wrath of the law caught up with them,” he said.