Lagos Govt gives 30-day notice to owners of residential buildings converted to worship centers, others

Maureen Aguta

The Lagos State Government has given ’30-day final notice’ to owners/occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted 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.

The notice is a sequel to alleged distortion of the masterplan of Lagos State, especially residential areas, by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centres thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.

Advocacy Times learnt that the removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.

It warned that 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.