Lagos State Government Introduces New Law – All Houses MUST be Beautified

The Lagos State Government in its characteristic mode of enforcing new laws and regulations has come out with another first in Nigeria – all houses in Lagos must be beautified.

The Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello said yesterday that it is now mandatory for occupiers of houses in the state to beautify the perimeter areas of their buildings.

He added that violation of this law would attract a fine.

“A violation of this would attract N250, 000 or the amount the state would incur if it decides to carry out the beautification, or six months imprisonment or other non-custodian sentences…also anyone caught felling trees in the state or trimming them without permission would be fined a minimum of N50, 000 or sent to one year imprisonment.

“It is also an offence to walk on lawns and gardens. Urinating, defecating in any of the parks, gardens and open spaces; loitering or soliciting for illegal purposes, smoking and dumping refuse among others in the parks are also offences,” Channels TV quoted him as saying.

The commissioner also inaugurated a new agency, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) which is a structure for the beautification and landscaping of open spaces in the state. “LASPARK will maintain and manage all designated parks and gardens; carry out the general directives and policies of government in respect of parks and recreation centres among other duties,” he said.

He added that the state’s Parks and Garden Law of 2011 would enable the agency to function and build on the solid foundation laid by the Conservative and Ecology Department of the ministry.

However he said that the law would not be enforced now until after the Traffic Law is up and running.

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I never even knew there was such a thing as the ‘Lagos State Parks and Garden Law’. However it would be nice to see the state take on a more beautiful and green look with parks and gardens around the state (that is if they find the space).

On the mandatory beautification of the perimeter areas of buildings, I’m on the fence on this one. *With the way buildings are clustered in Lagos, some of them don’t even have perimeters around them*

What are your thoughts on this new law and the new agency, LASPARK? Can it fly?

Photo Credit: www.rynolawncare.com