Tinubu warns against erecting structures on setbacks of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway
Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday issued a stern warning to developers, emphasizing the need to respect setbacks around the newly inaugurated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Speaking at the commissioning of the highway’s first 30 kilometers in the Lekki area of Lagos, Tinubu stated, “Let me, at this stage, warn all developers. The Federal Government will enforce the setbacks, if not for anything; it is for the interest of our nation.”
Setbacks, defined as the required distance a building must be from a road or property line—generally ranging from 3 to 9 meters—are crucial for ensuring safety and urban order.
In Lagos, these regulations are enforced by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
The president made it clear that the construction of houses and structures on these setbacks would not be tolerated. He warned that any such developments would be demolished without compensation, stating, “Development without approval will not be compensated (if demolished). We have gazetted and published the setbacks. We are going to enforce it rigidly in every way possible.”
Tinubu also called on road users to take responsibility for maintaining the newly completed infrastructure, highlighting the importance of citizen involvement in preserving public assets.
“As we celebrate today, let us reflect on our collective responsibility to preserve our infrastructure. The government can build roads, but this is left for us citizens to maintain,” he said.
The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Works Minister Dave Umahi, and several second-term governors, such as Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). The project is anticipated to be completed within eight years, as per the federal government’s timeline.
Source: Channels TV
