The Lagos State Government has said that it will henceforth demand the mandatory provision of CCTV cameras in buildings of six floors and above as a prerequisite for the issuance of Planning Permits.
This was made known in Alausa on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide.
According to the Commissioner, “property owners will, as a requirement for Planning Permit, now be mandated to install CCTV cameras in all existing buildings of six floors and above along major roads in the state as well as in all proposed or under construction buildings of six floors and above anywhere in the state”.
He stated further that the initiative would also cover all commercial buildings in Lagos State, which would equally be mandated to provide CCTV cameras as a requirement for their approvals.
Olumide said that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, approved the initiative to bring about enhanced security and balance public safety with physical planning considerations within the state.
He disclosed that, to ensure consistency and interoperability, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) would establish standardised specifications for CCTV camera systems and direct regular maintenance and inspection schedules to ensure camera functionality.
The agency will also mandate property owners to always make the footage available to the state security agents on request.
He enjoined all stakeholders to support the initiative, which he said is in tandem with the smart city ideals and the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda of the Lagos State Government as it is geared towards achieving a livable, organised and sustainable Lagos.
A construction professional, Mr. Ayotunde Bally, has expressed support for the Lagos State Government’s directive requiring installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in buildings with six or more floors.
Bally, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dembally Ltd., a real estate development company, gave the support in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos.
He described the decision as a positive step, particularly given the security challenges in the country.
According to him, the initiative is very crucial for enhancing safety within residential and commercial buildings.
Bally said: “The new mandatory requirement for property owners to install CCTV cameras in all buildings of six floors and above is a welcome development.
“This is because of the insecurity that is possibly going on the rise as a result of the economic situation in the country.”
Bally said that the requirement should be extended to buildings with fewer than six floors, specifically those housing four or more occupants.
According to him, the CCTV camera installation should be a standard security measure for any building with multiple occupants, regardless of its height, to ensure safety and well-being of the occupants.
“When you have multiple occupants in a building, that bulding essentially should be regarded as a mini-estate; It is important that they have CCTV cameras to protect the occupants of that property.
“Any building that has more than four different occupants in a compound needs to have CCTV cameras installed,” he said.
The President, National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Mr Adesegun Banjoko, said that the directive was not just a security measure, but also the beginning of a broader push for improved security within the state.
He said that the directive could pave the way for implementation of other advanced security technologies and strategies.
Banjoko expressed the hope that the initiative would encourage further investments in security infrastructure and lead to a significant improvement in public safety.
