Lagos State Government has issued a 30-day notice to owners and occupants of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, clubhouses, lounges, and bars without government approval to quit.
The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who stated this in a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, urged those affected to revert to the structure’s original use immediately before the ultimatum elapses.
According to the Commissioner, the notice was a sequel to the distortion of the master plan of the state’s primarily residential areas.
He lamented that some residents disregarded the regulatory provisions of the law and turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centers.
According to him, the development constituted a nuisance in the nation’s commercial hub.
“Any owner of buildings in residential areas that 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 of sealing but outright removal of such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners”, the statement added.
“The removal notice became imperative following citizens’ security concerns and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.