By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government has issued a stern directive mandating the acquisition of a Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation for all buildings in the state, as part of intensified efforts to ensure structural safety and prevent building collapses.
The directive was delivered by Mr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, during a ministerial press briefing held on Monday to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Babatunde stated that the measure is crucial to addressing the recurring issue of building collapses in Lagos and is part of the government’s broader commitment to creating a safe and orderly built environment.
He emphasized that no building would be allowed to be occupied without meeting the required safety and structural standards.
Highlighting the government’s progress in modernising land administration and urban development, Babatunde pointed to the ongoing implementation of the Enterprise Geographic Information Service (e-GIS), spearheaded by the Lagos Geographic Information Service (LAGIS).
The initiative, he said, is revolutionising the collection, processing, and use of land records, planning data, and geospatial information in the state.
According to Babatunde, the e-GIS Office is working to automate and integrate the digitisation efforts of key government agencies, including the Lands Bureau, Physical Planning Department, Land Use Charge Office, and the Office of the State Surveyor-General.
“Since its inception in 2016 and the formal establishment of the e-GIS Office in 2021, the project has delivered a comprehensive, computerised spatial data infrastructure to support smarter governance”, he said.
He further revealed that the initiative involves a state-wide mapping and survey project conducted in collaboration with the Surveyor-General’s Office, using advanced technologies such as UAV drones, RTK systems, and cadastral software for precise land mapping and data collection.
Additionally, Babatunde noted that the e-GIS Office is driving capacity building in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) across the civil service and providing integration and consultancy support for various ministries, departments, and agencies through GIS technology.
The state government reiterated that all Lagos residents, developers, and property owners must comply with the new safety requirement to avoid sanctions and contribute to the development of a safer Lagos.