Lagos Govt Clears Air on Solar Permit Claims, Says Fees Apply Only to Housing Estates

(Lagos State govt Photo by Eko 89.7FM)

This development is real, but the man who created the video appears to be unaware of the Lagos State Government’s standards for installing solar energy systems in social housing complexes.

He is most likely a renter in one of Lagos State Government-owned social housing complexes. Otherwise, he would not have expressed worries about something that was plainly stated in the indemnity form he signed before the government handed over the apartment to him after the purchase.

Now, to the point: the Lagos State Government DOES NOT charge all residents living in the State for a permit to install solar power systems for residential use in their homes as the video suggested. ONLY residents living in the government-owned social housing estates are charged administrative fees for Alterations, such as installation of solar power system, before any additional development can be permitted.

The State Government is in charge of maintaining facilities in its social housing projects. There is already a public electrical supply system in the Estates. Installation of a supplementary power system is considered a change to the original design and functionality of an estate building.

Any changes must go via the Ministry of Housing’s Physical Planning and Survey divisions for approval, material compliance, and post-inspection checks.

Because solar power systems are typically built by occupants in common spaces, this change must be approved by the facility manager (Government) before any occupant may begin.

This is because the State Government is in charge of keeping up the amenities in its social housing developments. The Estates already have a public electrical supply system in place. An estate building’s original functionality and design are altered when an additional power system is installed.

Any alteration must be run through the Physical Planning and Survey departments of the Ministry of Housing for approval, material compliance and post-inspection checks.

Since those solar power systems are typically constructed by residents in shared spaces, the facility management (government) must authorize the modification before any residents can move forward.