The Lagos State Government has officially discontinued all manual processing of building approvals, making its Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS) the exclusive channel for obtaining construction permits across the state. The transition, which came into full effect on April 1, 2026, effectively criminalizes paper-based applications and signals a complete digitization of the state's urban planning framework. At a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, declared that "manual processing of physical planning permits has been completely discontinued and outlawed." He stressed that any official or applicant found engaging in manual or "backdoor" permit processes would face legal consequences. The government has established a dedicated task force to monitor adherence and enforce the Governor's directive. The EPPPS is a web-based platform designed to modernize operations at the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). Officials confirmed that the system has achieved full operational readiness with 100% personnel training and complete deployment of digital infrastructure across all district offices. The platform enables end-to-end digital processing, allowing developers to apply for planning permits, obtain Authorisation to Commence Construction Works, and receive stage certifications remotely. Dr. Babatunde emphasized that the reform is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's broader strategy to improve ease of doing business and curb building collapses by enhancing transparency and eliminating human bottlenecks. Beyond EPPPS, the government is deploying Aumentum Software to digitize land title issuance and has reduced mortgage consent processing from 29 steps to just eight through an integrated Moola Tracker system. The Certified Accredited Programme (CAP) has also been introduced as a public-private partnership to strengthen compliance monitoring. Officials clarified that the reforms do not introduce new statutory fees but are aimed strictly at enforcing existing regulations more efficiently
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