Ogun State and financial opportunity

SIR: Permit me to express my view on the present financial predicament facing various governments in Nigeria and the financial opportunity available to Ogun State Government. There is no doubt that virtually all states in the federation are facing financial problems due to drop in Federation Allocation as a result of dwindling oil price from international market.

The financial drop has led to many states owing staff salaries for months and many have run to the Federal Government to bail them out. Ogun State is not exempted in the drop, however, the state has potential of getting out of the financial predicament due to some measures, which I believe the state government has put in place. One of such measures is the recently introduced Home Owners Chartered.

The programme, which was launched by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and designed to enable property owners in the state to regularise land documents built without government approval can bring billions of Naira to the Government if the State can adopt the following suggestions: by encouraging and giving opportunity to property owners in the state to ratify their property. It will not only solve the financial predicament of the state but will make more money available to implement its various laudable programmes such as road and bridge constructions, provision of social amenities. I am one of those who believe that government should not involve itself in building or construction of housing for its workers, rather it can create conducive environment for its citizens. It has been noted that the houses built by the government are too expensive for civil servants to buy.

The state government should encourage its citizens to build their own houses, while at the same time encourage them to register their properties. The state government should ask their Bureau of Lands to stop harassment of house owners whose property they destroy under the pretext of not having documents. The Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey should seek the state government support in establishing a court, which can hear matters involving the ratification and building of property in the state. The court can impose period of payment for the house owner or fine on any property owner who doesn’t want to comply.

• Solomon Enakeme, Abeokuta, Ogun State