The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Oyo State Branch has given its support to the State Government’s ‘Home Owners’ Charter’ program as the body said it would make documentation of land and landed properties’ documentation less strenuous and cheaper.

The State Chairman of NIS, Surveyor (Prince) Aderemi Femi Kobiowu said this on Friday at the Institution’s Secretariat in Ibadan when answering questions from journalists.

Kobiowu disclosed that the document, which encompassed survey plan, certificate of ownership (C of O) and other important requirements has cut out almost 50% of actual cost of obtaining the various documents before the introduction of the new instrument of ownership.

He however called on the State administration to look into the advises given by the Institution over the cost of procuring survey plan, so as to give credence to the unity of purpose between the Government and NIS that gave birth to the project.

“Home Owners’ Charter’ is not just a success, it is going to be one of the legacies this administration will leave behind, if well implemented, NIS was called upon before its birth and we put in our own idea, but Government is yet to Implement it fully.

“It is an idea that has given enough financial freedom to the members of the public to own land and landed properties, imagine the fact that Home Owners’ Charter’ has cut off the cost of obtaining tax clearance for the buyer and seller of land, that is minus almost #240.000.

“If almost 50% of the cost of obtaining documentation is removed, then the rest is no more a burden.

“We have however submitted a blueprint of NIS, which stands as our input into the program and other policy directions of the State that affect our members and the most important part of it is the cost of land survey in the Charter, we believe the present administration will look into this.”

He said Post-Covid-19 economy in Oyo State would be beneficial to the people as the policy and programs of the present administration indicated that the people’s welfare was utmost.

He urged the Government to open up acquired forest land for Investment and cheap housing program to further promote the State’s economy.

“We have seen the difference between an administration whose contractors were all from Lagos and the one that believe in patronizing local contractors and professionals, this has shown us that in Oyo State, post-covid-19 era will be beneficial to the people.

“We have assets in land and moribund assets, this Government has taken the very first step by inviting local and foreign investors to come and do business here, we will all reap the benefits.”

Kobiowu called on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently look into the resolution of the 8th Assembly on the Ibadan Circular Road’s setback which he said the former administration put at 500meters and reduce the setback to 150meters to allow for economic activities in the area.

“The effects of the acquisition of the 1kilometer of land along the corridor of the Ibadan Circular Road is that several villages and developed areas along this corridor would be enclosed in this acquisition and development there will be retarded.

“Development is better driven by private investors with the guide of Government and in this case, it is better Government controls the development of the area for effective cost incurring instead of wholesale acquisition,” he appealed.

In a letter dated May 19th, 2019 which was signed by the Clerk of the House, Mrs F.F Oyediran, the State House of Assembly resolved that the setback for the railway corridor be set at 200 meters on both sides of the rail line while it proposed setback for the circular road to be 150 meters on both sides to drive development planning control.

Signed:

Wasiu Olatubosun,

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Culture and Tourism,

Ibadan.

Friday 3rd July, 2020.

The MoU signing which was done on Tuesday at Ibadan by the Director-General, Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi and four investors would see to the injection of #5billion into the real estate sector of the State’s economy and will ameliorate the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, among other steps evolved by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The projects include the design, construction, commissioning and management of Bodija Recreation Centre by Refcon Ltd and construction of about 360 units of medium and low-cost housing estate by Remax Realtors.

Others are the development of eleven units of premium 5-bedroom units by Wood et al Ltd and the development of forty-five units of premium 5-bedroom townhouse by Project Scope Ltd.

In his address at the event, Ogunwuyi said the concessional agreement would see to the injection of #5billion naira into the State’s economy and the effects would be felt in youths employment and improved commercial atmosphere.

He said the present administration in Oyo State, under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde was doing everything possible to turn around the fortune of the State for better.

“The projects we just signed agreements on include construction of 360 units of medium and low-cost housing units on 13 hecters at Ajoda New Town and development of eleven units of premium 5 bedroom terrace house with all necessary infrastructures on a vacant land at Oba Awosika street at Bodija.

“Also included is the development of forty-five units of premium 5 bedroom townhouse with necessary infrastructures on a vacant land at number 1&3, Oba Akinyele street, Bodija, Ibadan while the last one will involve the design, construction, commissioning and management of Bodija Recreation Centre, this will be turned into a self-sustaining, multipurpose sports and recreation centre and it will become the foremost recreation centre for the use of residents of Ibadan and visitors from all over the country,” he said.

Present at the event was the Chairman, Oyo State Housing Corporation, Barr. Bayo Lawal and other representatives of the State Government and private organizations.

Signed:

Wasiu Olatubosun (P.hd),
Hon. Commissioner for Information,
Culture and Tourism.
16th June, 2020.

The Governor in his address during the presentation of the Certificate made it known that acquisition of the new Certificate of Occupancy is now obtainable within 60 days from the date of submission of application form provided there is no objection to the request.

He added that all bottle necks that usually lead to delay of processing the certificate has been eliminated.

He stated further, that a digitized platform has been created with geo-referencing and new security features to checkmate forgery. This will enable home owners confirm the true ownership of property from any part of the world at their convenience.

…First 2,000 Applicants To Enjoy Discounts

Oyo State Government has launched a digitized Certificate of Occupancy issuance platform, as part of its strategy for growing the Gross Domestic Product of the State.

A release issued by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barrister Abiodun Abdu-Raheem noted that the processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy is now faster, easier and affordable.

While he urged all eligible property owners without title or approved documents to take advantage of the opportunity, Abiodun also revealed that Oyo State Government will ensure all land owners in the State have digitized title documents by December 2022, amidst the accelerated provision of digitized title documents.

Abdu-Raheem said “the processing and collection of Certificate of Occupancy would take only Sixty (60) days under the Oyo State Home Owners Charter (OYHOC) scheme. While Government will bear the cost of survey, planning permission and all other relevant documents for applicants who do not have them under the OYHOC scheme”.

“Records have shown that majority of residential landed properties in Oyo State have no registered titled documents leaving such property owners open to many risks, hence the need for the C of O”, he added.

According to the Lands helmsman, all C of O’s issued under the improved OYHOC will not only be digitized, for ease of authenticity confirmation, they would also be the same legal instrument as any other C of O being issued by the Government.

He added that, “Property owners can now easily use their properties as collateral for any financial transaction as well as having their documentation on the digital database of the Ministry for ease of confirmation and transfer”.

Barrister Abiodun further hinted that application forms can be obtained at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the State secretariat, all Local Government Authority Offices as well as Local Council Development Authority offices (LGA &LCDAs) for only N6,000.00 (Six thousand Naira) payable using customized OYHOC recharge cards.

He also said all applicants must immediately register their application by following the instructions on the recharge card as the unique PIN on the recharge card will serve as their application number and as receipt for the application form payment.

The Commissioner pointed out that the first 2,000 applicants will enjoy a 15% discount, hence it is critical for all applicants to immediately register their application with the OYHOC recharge cards following the instructions carefully. He however noted that the concessionary processing fee applicable for the OYHOC scheme C of O is only available for applications received between now and 31st December, 2020.

Barrister Abiodun further urged applicants to visit the website www.lands.oyostate.gov.ng. while enquiries can be made through Room 4, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Tel: 0700 696 52637 (0700 OYO LANDS) and email: lands@oyostate.gov.ng

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.