In order to change the face of physical development and make Lagos state physically safe, secure, habitable and productive, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority is set to fast-track the issuance of planning permit from 28 working to 10 days via the enhancement of its Electronic Platform as well as addition of eight district offices to the existing 20 statewide.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye, who made this known during a recent strategy meeting with staff in the Ministry, said that the decision was part of the outcome of the retreat organized for members of the State Executive Council and Body of Permanent Secretaries.
He solicited for attitudinal change by all staff particularly the professional and field officers and urged them to a have new orientation and work in line with the vision and mission of Lagos as a Smart City.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas stated that the staff must change their lackadaisical attitude individually and collectively and be proactive not only to meet the revenue target but also build a sustainable environment.
She added that they must synergize their duties with the agencies’ mandates for efficient, effective, service excellence and prompt service delivery, as well as imbibe the corporate culture of integrity, transparency, passionate, being approachable with an open-door culture and continuous improvement.
Meanwhile, the State Government has urged property owners in the State to avail themselves of the opportunity of the 15 per cent discount on Land Use Charge Law by paying their bills promptly, just as Land Use Charge officials have commenced the distribution of the 2018 Land Use Charge Bill.
A statement issued by the State Ministry of Finance noted that for property owners to qualify for the 15% discount, they must pay within the first 15 days of receiving the Land Use Charge bill.
It further informed that payment can be made to the Lagos State Government Consolidated Revenue Account at any of the designated banks in the State using Web pay, Pay Point and USSD.
“Payers are also advised to pay directly to the bank and not to any government officials or middlemen to avoid money getting into wrong hands”, the statement noted.
However, it enjoined citizens who do not receive their bills to visit the Ministry of Finance, Block 12, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja to collect their bills.
By Marc Philips