Ronke Sokefun, Ogun State commissioner for urban and physical planning, on Monday, said “the state government does not have any definite deadline on land titles application under its Homeowners’ Charter programme created in 2013 to ensure that land titles are speedily and affordably processed.”
It would be recalled that the Ibikunle Amosun-led state government launched the Homeowners’ Charter programme in 2013, in order to enable owners of properties built without government approval regularise their title documents through a window of opportunity to obtain building plan approval and certificates of occupancy (C of O) for as little as N100,000.
Speaking against some fear being nursed on the possible deadline of Homeowners’ Charter window at the presentation of 1,000 C of O to another set of properties owners in Abeokuta, Sokefun assured applicants that issuance of C of O would continue until every applicant that met standard requirements collect title documents.
She said lots of improvements had been mapped out on the Homeowners’ Charter programme ahead of next year, saying apart from forming an integral part of the government’s mission to rebuild the state, the scheme would provide data for the medium-term planning for provision of roads, schools, hospitals and other essential services.
But, Biyi Ismail, director-general, Bureau of Lands and Survey, said 70,000 had been processed and therefore ready for distribution since the applicants had met the requirements for C of O and Building Plan Approvals under the Homeowners’ Charter programme.
Although, the director-general disclosed that over 150,000 applicants applied for land titles documents in recent time, only 70,000 people met standards and requirements due to the fact that the applicants had virgin lands, uncompleted structures and buildings at foundation level since the programme was meant for completed structures.
“There were more than 150,000 applicants that came in under the programme but 70,000 out of those that applied met the requirement and qualified,” he said.
Speaking on the programme, one of the beneficiaries, Adebowale Lawal from Itele, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, said he was almost discouraged as the programme was rumoured to be a fraud, saying: “With the documents in my hand, I now believe in it, and I will advise others not to lose hope.”
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