Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development

BUILDING COLLAPSE: OGSG TAKES STEP, SIGN MoU WITH BUILT PROFESSIONAL BODY

Ogun State Government has taken a decisive step to forestall building collapse and its attendant loss of lives and property, as it signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a built professional body, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami stated this today during the signing of the MoU ceremony organised by Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA), at the Ministry’s conference room in Abeokuta.

Odunlami said the issue of building collapse necessitated the urgent need for synergy between the State government and BCPG, to stem the tide of building collapse and the use of substandard materials.

He pointed out that the menace is caused by faulty designs, use of quacks rather than appropriate registered professionals both in design and construction of buildings and other structures, use of substandard building materials, unapproved change of design during construction, non-adherence to building approvals, and others.

He affirmed that the Guild has hitherto been active as a whistleblower, alerting relevant government agencies of illegal and distressed buildings, as well as the use of substandard materials by developers and homeowners.

“This is a novel and pioneering collaboration that must not be allowed to fail. You cannot afford to give excuses; we will not hesitate to report any unprofessional conduct to the appropriate professional and regulatory bodies of your members for necessary action”, he said.

He disclosed that BCPG is a registered non-governmental group of built industry and related professionals which cut across all the professions including, Town Planning, Building, Engineering, Architecture, Surveyors, Estate Surveying and Quantity Surveying and others who are built industry practitioners but are also professionals in their various field of endeavor.

In his goodwill message, President of BCPG, Engr. Eddy Atumonyogo commended Prince Dapo Abiodun for the giant steps towards safeguarding the lives and investment of the residents, adding that his administration had given due attention to the Built sector.

According to Atumonyogo, “the administration has demonstrated that prevention is better than cure by promoting the collaborative effort between professionals in the State Civil Service and those in the private sector towards eliminating the ugly menace of building collapse”.

In his speech, Chairman, Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Ogun State chapter, Engr. Surv. Olusegun Sogbetun said the challenge of ensuring that mankind lives in a safe and conducive environment had been left on the shoulders of the professionals in the built environment.

He said the MoU will allow members to help in the monitoring of the various stages and processes of building construction in the State to ensure that they are built according to the approved design and required standard, appreciating the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the initiative.

The signing of MoU was witnessed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odushile, and other relevant professional bodies in the State.

OGUN COMMISSIONER EULOGISES RETIRED PERMANENT SECRETARY

A retired Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Nafiu Adebiyi has been described as a good administrator, brilliant, energetic and quintessential professional, whose diligence to service in the Ministry and the State will be greatly missed.

Commissioner in the Ministry, Tpl. Olatunji Odunlami gave this commendation in Abeokuta, during a send-off ceremony organised in honour of Mr. Adebiyi.

Tpl. Odunlami stated that his wealth of experience in the administrative sector of the State Civil Service had added value to the implementation of the government activities over the years.

The Commissioner felicitated him for his remarkable achievements within and outside the service, enjoining others to emulate him by exhibiting commitment and dedication to work.

In his remark, his counterpart in the Budget and Planning Ministry, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan said Adebiyi was a role model in humility, thoroughness and professionalism.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Director, Urban Development, Tpl. Rufus Talabi stated that the retired Permanent Secretary was an accomplished administrator and a dedicated Civil Servant who rose to the peak of his career through hard work, applauding him for being firm and upright throughout his service years.

Responding, Adebiyi appreciated God for seeing him through his years of active service which gave him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the system, advising officers to live up to expectations, think outside the box, and be committed to duty.

Also present at the event were Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Kola Ogunlana and his counterpart in the Ministry of Housing, ESV, Olalekan Lukan, Retired Permanent Secretary, Mr Dolapo Adewunmi and other management staff.

Mr. Adebiyi bowed out of the Civil Service of Ogun State on December 31, 2019 as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning.



Tosin Koletowo & Luke Adebesin

Press Officers MPP&UD.

OGSG WARNS AGAINST LAND GRABBING, ENCROACHMENT

The Ogun State Government has warned individuals who are in the habit of forcefully acquiring government and public landed properties and taking possession of premises to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. Olatunji Odunlami gave the warning in Abeokuta, following an attack on Town Planners who were on enforcement exercise at Aseese in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the State.

Odunlami, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Tunde Olugbewesa said the law of the State on Land grabbing titled H.B NO 13/2016 prohibits forcibly entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and allied matters, adding that the Physical Planning Laws of the State which refrain anyone from erecting buildings without Planning Permit were still in place.

“The Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration will not hesitate to sanction any person or group of persons claiming to be ‘Omo Onile’ who defies the Physical Planning law of the State or obstruct officers on official duties. I want to urge residents to support government efforts to curb the menace of illegal and unapproved developments in different parts of the State”, he stated.

The Commissioner also enjoined developers to always consult the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) in any of the Zonal Town Planning offices, to seek planning information and notify the State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA) before the commencement of any construction work within the State, noting that the government would ensure that buildings were erected by stipulated approval to achieve an organised, orderly, livable and sustainable physical environment.

BUILDING COLLAPSE: GOVT. CAUTIONS PLANK MERCHANTS AGAINST SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS

Plank sellers dealing in substandard products in Ogun State, have been warned against selling such to developers, which could put lives and property in jeopardy.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami stated this in Abeokuta during a meeting with members of Ogun State Plank Sellers and Sawmills Association, saying that there is a law which prohibits the use of substandard planks on site.

Odunlami said there was need to investigate where substandard planks emanated from and put a stop to it, noting that the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA) is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring quality of materials used in construction.

“We discovered the reduction in the dimension of planks sold in the State, which does not conform with the National building Code and we cannot allow it to continue", the Commissioner said.

In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Adebola Benson appreciated the timely intervention of the government, calling for a joint fight against the menace of using substandard materials for building to prevent crises in the future.

In his response, the Chairman, Sawmills Association, Lafenwa branch, Evangelist Yemi Shorinola lauded the efforts of the Ministry at ensuring that due process is followed in the built environment, assuring of the association's readiness to do the needful in ensuring that required standard were met.

OGSG TAKES STEP TO PREVENT BUILDING COLLAPSE

Ogun State Government is taking proactive steps towards forestalling unnecessary loss of lives and property arising from building collapse, as it is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with state chapter of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olatunji Odunlami made this known in Abeokuta when he played host to members of BCPG, noting that the collaboration would also institutionalise effective control mechanism to ensure that all constructions in the State were captured, monitored and structurally certified from foundation to completion.

He noted that the rate at which buildings were being erected without following due process was worrisome hence, the need for concerted efforts of organized professional bodies in the sector to ensure more resilient and safer environment in the State.

Odunlami affirmed that the initiative was the first of its kind in the nation where a State government would partner with a private regulatory body to monitor building construction.

He informed that the Guild would be expected to assist the government in the inspection and certification of building constructions in partnership with the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA), advising the Organisation to caution its members against any form of illegality that could damage the reputation of the State government.

In his response, the Chairman BCPG in the State, Engr. Segun Sogbetun said the Guild was proud to partner with the state government in its mission to guarantee safe and resilient habitat for the people, assuring that they were ready to give necessary professional support for government to deliver on its set objectives in the sector.

Tosin Koletowo & Luke Adebesin
Press/Public Relations Officers

OGUN LAUNCHES WEBSITES FOR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, OTHERS

The Ogun State Government says it has launched an official website where prospective applicants and intending investors can get all required information on procurement of building permits for residential and commercial purposes from the comfort of their homes.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl Tunji Odunlami who made this known during a stakeholder's meeting in Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, said the development was one of the major reforms embarked upon by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led adminstration in the Urban development Sector.

Tpl. Odunlami noted that the initiative was to forestall multiplicity of charges, revenue leakage and removal of all the existing bottlenecks hampering prompt access to building permits, saying "this government is genuinely committed to reforming and rebranding operational structure of the Ministry”.

The Commissioner enjoined the public to log on to the Ministry's website via: www.ogmppud.com for further enquiry and follow-up on their applications at every stage, lodge complaints and make all payments from the comfort of their homes.

He added that the present administration was determined to facilitate the ease of doing business in the State, by ensuring that applications for commercial or residential building permits by intending investors and private individuals, no longer foot-dragging, assuring that the government would ensure the State becomes the industrial and logistic hub of Africa.

"I want to assure you that this government is not paying lip service to its vision of becoming Africa's model for industrial and logistic hub, as enshrined in the theme of its upcoming 2021 Investment Summit", he said.

Tpl. Odulami said other reforms put in place by government to boost enabling environment for Public Private Partnership in the State, were the proposals on one principal law and five regulations to provide legal backing for the restructuring, reforms and operations of the Ministry and the newly created Agencies which are; the Ogun State Planning Development Permit Authority, Ogun State Slum Regeneration Authority and Ogun State Building Production Management Authority.

Earlier in her address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Tpl Yetunde Dina noted that the forum would enable the government to determine how far the reforms have helped in creating a sustainable business environment as well as enable the Ministry and other stakeholders identify their Strenghts, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Tosin Koletowo
Press/Public Relations Officer(MPP&UD)

FG/OGUN MOVES TO FORESTALL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT RAILWAY CORRIDORS

A Committee comprising officials of the Federal and Ogun State Governments have been set up, to engender a developmental plan for the Lagos/Ibadan railway corridors to forestall illegal activities, which may become future threat to commuters and rail services.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami while speaking at a meeting with officials of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in Lagos, said the move was in anticipation on the tendency for people to build slums or shanties along the corridors of rail stations located within the State.

Tpl. Odunlami said 5 out of 10 Train terminus along Lagos/Ibadan railway stations were domiciled in Ogun State, adding that there was need for the State to take proactive step towards preventing illegal development of structures.

“The train station is more viable for business and investment opportunities mostly for Real Estate Developers, that is why we need to have proper plan for the rail stations, so that we can ensure development around these corridors is what the Federal and State Government will be proud of in future", he said.

The Commissioner solicited the cooperation of NRC to avert haphazard development along the passageways to avoid vandalisation of public assets.

Contributing, his counterpart in Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, said official operation of the rail system had impacted greatly on the socio-economic activities of the State and assured of government's support for the project to benefit the general public.

On his part, Managing Director NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria who was represented by the Director Operations, NRC, Mr. Niyi Alli, said the Corporation would ensure that necessary arrangements were in place for the smooth running of rail stations, pledging the Federal Government’s readiness to assist the State in actualising its dream.

Members of the Committee comprises of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr. Rasaki Ojetola, representatives of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olawale Shokunbi, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Sola Odukoya, NRC, Engr. Wahaab Amodu and Engr. Samsideen Balogun of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT).

Tosin Koletowo & Luke Adebesin,
Press Officers, MPP&UD.

Join Tpl. Olatunji Odunlami, Hon. Commissioner for Ogun State Ministry of Physical planning and Urban Development presently on Splash 106.7fm doing justice to the issue of Town Planning in the State.

Join Tpl. Olatunji Odunlami, Hon. Commissioner for Ogun State Ministry of Physical planning and Urban Development on Splash 106.7fm today @ 5:30pm.

OGUN RESIDENTS ADVISED AGAINST LIVESTOCK FARMING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS

The Ogun State Government has advised residents against locating poultry, piggery and other forms of livestock farming, as well as factories within residential areas to prevent environmental pollution, which pose a hazard to human health.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami who made this call during an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, said,” it is illegal to operate animal husbandry in residential areas, human beings and animals cannot reside in the same place, henceforth such property would be sealed up as there are areas designated for agricultural purposes which is already indicated in the Regional Plan of the State”.

He appealed to residents not to suffer in silence, but alert the State Government if such illegality is discovered in their neighborhood and appropriate actions would be taken immediately.

Odunlami also admonished real estate developers to desist from advertising landed property for sale without government approved layout, saying, the Ministry is partnering with the Real Estate Developers of Nigeria to ensure sanity in the sector.

The Commissioner therefore enjoined intending buyers to desist from purchasing lands without layout approval, advising them to always request for approval before payment.

Tosin Koletowo & Luke Adebesin
Press Officers MPP&UD

OGSG PROMISES SUPPORT FOR FG’S PROPOSED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Ogun State Government has pledged its support, towards making the Federal Government’s proposed Regional Development Plan for Southwest geo-political zone of the country a reality.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. Tunji Odunlami gave this assurance while playing host to the Federal Government delegation led by the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Tpl. David Akinola in Oke- Mosan,Abeokuta, saying the proposed plan would bring about harmonious development to the region.

Odunlami, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Tpl. Yetunde Dina, said the proposed Regional Developmental Plan was a welcome idea, as it would enhance the physical planning of southwest Nigeria, noting that the State has been facilitating its regional plans.

Responding, Tpl. Akinola noted that the federal government was critical towards achieving a sustainable Regional development plan for the Southwest, especially Ogun State, as it borders most of the States in the region.

Akinola explained that the proposed project would fashion out a developmental plan for the six States in the region, which was expected to be delivered in six months, stating that the Ministry would be the anchor Agency for the project and solicited for the backing of the State Government towards its successful implementation.