Homeowner’s Charter: Ogun Embraces Community Groups for Property Inspections

The Ogun State Government has issued guidelines for property inspections which have commenced under its ongoing Homeowners’ Charter Programme to minimize inconvenience for residents and maximize efficiency in the process.

 

Under the guideline, the State Government will work through Community Development Associations (CDAs), Residents Associations and other groups to organize group inspections of properties. 

 

The government, according to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abeokuta yesterday explained that it would utilize its network of over 6740 registered CDAs which represent no fewer than 600,000 individual members, to schedule the inspection of properties in groups within specific areas.

 

The system, it stated, “will work by appointment and representatives of the CDA will support the process by providing directions to properties and other necessary information . 

 

“As a result of this strategy, individual applicants may not need to be excused from their places of employment or business to await the inspection on an individual basis. Using the CDAs in this manner is expected to significantly accelerate the process of approving applications under the Homeowners Charter Programme by processing properties in groups rather than individually”, it said.

 

The government advised homeowners, who are CDA members to notify their CDAs of their application form and reference number, adding that the CDA will in turn schedule appointments in groups on behalf of their members.

 

The inspection teams will operate from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm, six days a week, it revealed, assuring residents that all inspection staff will be uniformed and not need to inspect the interior of any property as the work to be undertaken would be performed from the compound. 

 

Government urged those who have purchased forms but are yet to submit them to do so well in advance of the March 31, 2014 deadline. 

 

The Homeowners’ Charter Programme is a statewide initiative allowing those who are property owners to obtain Building Approval and Certificates of Occupancy at discounts of up to 78 percent.