In a bid to ensure an orderly physical environment and the safety of lives and property, Ogun State Government has charged professionals in the environmental sector to comply with the newly approved planning and building regulations in the state.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPl. Olatunji Odunlami made this charge while declaring open a two day workshop organised for accredited consulting firms and all professionals in the built environment on compliance with the planning regulations.
Odunlami insisted that persistent lapses in compliance with existing regulations have contributed to delays in processing planning permits emphasising that such delays often lead to project setbacks and increased costs.
The Commissioner described the gathering as timely and necessary, harping on the need for improved adherence to standards.
He stated that the State’s physical development had previously been guided by a principal law and five regulations enacted in 2022 which in response to the rapidly evolving development landscape, have been reviewed and updated in 2025 alongside the newly approved Ogun State Building and Construction Code 2025.
Odunlami expressed concern that many registered professionals remained either unaware of the regulations or insufficiently informed about their provisions, citing frequent issues such as poorly prepared architectural designs, inadequate engineering drawings, and substandard technical reports, which often failed to meet regulatory requirements and complicate the approval process.
According to him, the workshop was designed as a platform for knowledge exchange, where regulators and practitioners could share experiences and better understand their respective roles, urging participants to actively engage in discussions, contribute their expertise, and align their practices with regulatory expectations to improve the efficiency of the planning permit system.
He reaffirmed the Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to sustainable urban development and encouraged professionals to familiarise themselves with the new regulations and the Building and Construction Code, assuring that the Ministry would continue to refine its processes to effectively manage the state’s physical development and stay ahead of emerging challenges.
Addressing concerns around accreditation, the Commissioner clarified that the process was a statutory requirement and not a duplication of professional registration, adding that accreditation serves as an administrative mechanism to maintain a database of consulting firms working with the ministry.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary urged participants to take full advantage of the workshop to deepen their understanding of the new regulations while advising professionals in the Ministry to desist from cutting corners and compromising standards.
Chairmen of professional bodies who shared professional experience on the field with participants also delivered goodwill messages, encouraging members to uphold professionalism and support government initiatives.
The workshop featured presentations on planning regulations, compliance frameworks, accreditation standards, and emerging challenges, with interactive sessions designed to enhance knowledge sharing and improve service delivery across the sector.
