The Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) has continued its periodic sensitization exercise to Community Development Areas, as part of its efforts to increase awareness about the advantages and prospects of the “Build Right” agenda.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl Olatunji Odunlami, while addressing members of the Itesiwaju-Adigbe, Community Development Area (CDS), in Abeokuta, stated that enlisting grassroots engagement through regular interactions would bring governance closer to the people.

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Enforcement and Compliance, Babatunde Olugbewesa, the Commissioner called for collaborative efforts at ensuring that communities develop according to the plans and permits of the state government.

He disclosed further that, it was important for developing communities to first, design layout plans, which must be approved by the government and second, build accordingly, to avoid future challenges like flooding.

“Areas that do not have layout plans and landlords without planning permits, can approach any of the 22 town planning zonal offices across the state or the headquarters at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta for regularisation.

“Also, Community Development Areas (CDAs) should sensitize their members to obey setback and airspace requirements, while land sellers should avoid indiscriminate cutting of land for sale without due recourse to the future sustainability of the environment”, he said.

In his address, the Acting General Manager, OGPDPA, Tpl. Idowu James, noted that the CDAs could help curtail haphazard development in the area through regular sensitisation of their members about ‘Building Right’ and reporting illegal structures or developments in its early stages.

James enjoined CDAs to educate landowners about the need to obtain planning permits and all necessary building authorisations, as well as the importance of building, according to the specifications of the permits granted.

Responding on behalf of the CDA, the Executive Secretary, Chief Mrs. Atinuke Balogun, appreciated the agency for the exercise, saying the question and answer session offered an opportunity for their members to clarify some issues that had been of concern to them.

In his response, Chairman of the CDA, Alhaji G. B. Bello, encouraged members to visit the town planning office in their zone for further clarification and enlightenment about building in accordance to the laws of the state.