The Lagos State Government has clarified that the requirement for a permit and payment of fees to install solar power systems applies only to residents in government-owned social housing estates, not to private homes across the state.
The clarification comes after a viral video showing a Lagos resident complaining about officials demanding a permit and fees for installing a solar power system in his apartment drew widespread attention on social media.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Wale Ajetunmobi, also known as Riddwane, said on Wednesday that the man in the video appeared to be misinformed about the government’s guidelines.
“This development is true, but the man who made the video seems to be misinformed about the Lagos State Government’s guidelines for installing solar energy systems in social housing estates,” Riddwane wrote.
“He is likely to be a tenant in one of these social housing estates owned by the Lagos State Government. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have raised concerns about something that was clearly outlined in the indemnity document he signed before the Government handed over the apartment to him after purchase.”
Riddwane explained that the Lagos State Government does not charge all residents in the state for a permit to install solar power systems for domestic use.
“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,” he said.
He said the reason for this is that the State Government is responsible for maintaining facilities in its social housing estates.
“There is public electricity supply system already installed in the Estates. Installation of additional power system is taken as an alteration to the original design and functionality of an Estate building.”
Riddwane said any alteration must be approved by the facility manager before any occupant can proceed, and that the uniformed men seen in the video are from the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry of Housing.
“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.
“Those solar power systems are usually installed by occupants in shared areas; so this alteration must be approved by the facility manager (Government) before any occupant can proceed. The man in the video obviously did not apply for an approval before embarking on such alteration. The uniformed men seen in the video are from the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry.
“The Government has had to deal with liability from unpermitted alterations by estate residents, including leaking roofs and severe damage caused by fire.
“So, the simple rule for any estate occupant is to contact the State Government (facility manager) for an approval for any external alteration they want to undertake in their building. If an unpermitted alteration affects the entire property, other occupants will hold the government responsible.”
The clarification comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing power challenges, where many households turn to solar alternatives due to unreliable grid electricity.
