Ogun Gives Succour to Owners of Illegal Structures

 

Ogun State Government has launched the Homeowners’ Charter to provide opportunity for those who have built on government acquired land and private land without obtaining building plan approval to regularize their status at a huge discount.

 

Flagging off the programme today in Abeokuta, the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said that the initiative was part of his commitment to affordable housing and urban renewal borne out of the urgent need for reliable population data as the government plans for the future needs of the State.

 

Governor Amosun said that the Geographical Information System embarked upon at the inception of his administration revealed that the level of development in certain local government areas was significantly in excess of that suggested by official records, lamenting that such situation would hinder planning for the medium and long term needs of the people.

 

Disclosing that the culture of building without approval in the State had become rampant and well-orchestrated in the last twelve years, the State helmsman affirmed that ‘’those who have also built illegally on land that belongs to State Government, OPIC and Housing Corporation and who for years, have lived with uncertainty about whether government would eventually repossess the land with this initiative.’’

 

Senator Amosun said that all the normal conditions required to obtain Building Plan Approval and Certificate of Occupancy, including the requirement to obtain three years tax clearance have been waived, adding that the State government had also waived the penalties for building without approval which are ten times the normal price.

 

“We have applied a deep discount to the usual charge for Survey Plan and for Stamp Duty. All we ask in return for this once in a life time opportunity is that for every property, the owners would be required to provide us with full enumeration data of each and every resident to enable us to develop an accurate residents’ database to support our future planning’’, the Governor said.

 

He said the new charge under the charter which gives special consideration to rural dwellers could be paid at installments having understood the current economic climate, adding that, ‘’ we have selected a number of partner banks, some of whom are even prepared to offer finance for those who require it.’’

 

Governor Amosun who disclosed that the process for obtaining the documents had been made seamless with a “one stop shop” in each area, said application forms would be available in partner banks and various charter centers across the state till February 28, 2014.

 

In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Osinowo, said a building without approval was prone to litigation and demolition, revealing that over 80% of houses in the State were without building approvals.

 

The official launch was attended by Community Development Associations, and professional bodies including Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Nigeria Institute of Town planners, among others.