Kings County, Lagos planning authority bicker over sealed property

A major disagreement is brewing between a property firm, Kings County Property Investment Company Limited and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) over the latter’s decision to seal the premises housing it’s Cancer Treatment Centre in Ikoyi.

The multipurpose project was conceived by the firm to address issues associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, which has assumed an epidemic proportion in the country, was sealed up by officials of the ministry on July 17, 2019, while engaged workers were driven away.

The Guardian learned that a valid certificate of occupancy was issued for the hosting of the project and all requisite approvals were duly sought as well as obtained by the firm for the building.

A representative of the firm and notable legal luminary, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa said the project meant to provide affordable health services and facilities to all Nigerians for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer-related diseases is about 90 per cent completed before the action of the government officials to disrupt work at the site.

In a letter dated July 17, 2019, Adegboruwa, appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to do his best to preserve the Ikoyi Cancer Treatment Centre, by calling to order, the officers of the Lagos State Physical Planning Authority, to unseal the premises for the project to be completed.

He anchored his appeal on the alarming rate of deaths resulting from various cancer-related ailments and the dearth of treatment centers in Nigeria, which has given rise to medical tourism abroad, for which Nigerians have been paying through their noses.

Mr. Adegboruwa appealed to the Governor to focus on his governance agenda, given that he has achieved great milestones in the short time that he got into office, with massive road repairs going on throughout the State day and night and being the first Governor to constitute his cabinet.

He further alerted the governor that the case is already pending before the High Court of Lagos State and since the Governor swore to an oath to defend the constitution. “It is important to allow the courts to determine the fate of the parties to the case, rather than resorting to self-help or deploying the machinery of state to assist one party against the other,” he said.

Adegboruwa urged the governor to avoid any descent into impunity or a confrontation with the judiciary and to do all in his power to support as well as assist the project and not allow overbearing officers of the State to frustrate or hinder it, for the good of the people of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria at large.

But, an official of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) said the firm should approach its district office in Ikota, if it has all the necessary papers and approval.

According to the official, the premises could not have been sealed without infractions.