Osun Begins Urban Renewal Project

[Defender]

In line with Mr. Rauf Aregbesola's administration's policy to recreate the major towns in the state, plans have been concluded to commence work on beautification of nine towns.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban development, Architect Olumuyiwa Ige, at this year's ministerial briefing held at the Local Government Service Commission in the state capital.

According to him, the first phase of the project would cover the main areas in the town, covering one square kilometer, from the palace square of all the towns involved.

The towns that would benefit from the first phase of the project include; Osogbo, Ilesa, Ikirun, Ila-Oragun, Ejigbo, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ede and Ikire.

He added that the state has successfully completed the digital mapping of the state, saying the feat has placed the state ahead of others in the country, except Lagos in the area of geospatial information system processing.

Ige maintained that the system would enhance public service delivery, as well as expand revenue generation base of the state.

This, according to him, would be achieved through boundary dispute resolution, tourism promotion, property valuation and revaluation and advance socio-economic development.

He added that Aregbesola's administration has also concluded plans to commence the Osogbo East bye-pass and is ready to compensate those likely to be displaced as a result of the construction of the road project.

Also, the Commissioner disclosed that his ministry has concluded arrangement to revalidate all the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to digital form, calling on all residents with buildings in the state, to submit their C of O for revalidation.

He added that the move is to address the problem of forged C of O and reduce unnecessary disputes over land or property ownership.

"A new bill is on the way to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations governing physical and urban planning, with a view to ensuring that its master plan is not distorted", he added.

The commissioner added that strict measures would be taken to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Capital Territory Development Authority.

"We are also strengthening our framework to ensure that quacks, especially in fields, such as survey, town planning, building, and architecture, to ensure that issues of collapsed buildings is not witnessed in the state.

Osun Defender