By Grace Alegba

Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) on Friday unveiled a sanitation campaign targeting secondary schools across the state.

LASPPPA is an agency under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, flagged off the initiative, starting with schools in Ikeja.

The initiative is part of efforts to inculcate a culture of adherence to good physical planning practices and development among the younger generation.

Olumide led a delegation of senior officials from the ministry and LASPPPA to three schools in Ikeja.

He said the initiative aligned with the ministry’s mandate on public advocacy and sensitisation, adding that it aimed to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of orderly physical development.

He said the government is serious about physical development issues, highlighting that comprehensive master plans had been documented for every part of the state to ensure coordinated growth.

He added that the programme would culminate in an inter-school competition, during which students with outstanding knowledge of physical planning processes will win prizes.

While addressing students at Tunwase High School, Ikeja, Olumide explained the adverse effects of unplanned development, such as erosion and environmental degradation.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Mr Olumide Sotire, said the exercise would inculcate early physical planning values in students.

“You are the ones who will take over from us, and it is our duty to guide you along the right path.

“We must begin to correct past mistakes to ensure that our state and nation develop like other advanced countries,” he said.

The General Manager of LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike, said the exercise reinforced the state government’s commitment to public enlightenment and engagement to counter impressions that it is focused only on enforcement.

Osinaike thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approving the school sensitisation initiative and for his consistent support of physical planning and permit processes.

In his remarks, the Principal of Tunwase High School, Dr Dare Oguntade, thanked the government for selecting the school and its interest in nurturing future town planners and professionals in related fields.

Oguntade added that the interaction with top officials of the ministry might inspire students to consider careers in town planning and allied disciplines.

He also assured that the students would share the knowledge gained with their peers and enlighten their parents or guardians on the importance of securing planning permits before any construction.

Other schools visited were Mayor Heights Secondary School and Ikeja Senior High School. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa