Ogun digitises land administration, grants moratorium to encroachers

• To builds 250 low-cost housing units in Ijebu Ode

The Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a one-month moratorium for residents and entrepreneurs, whose properties encroached on government’s acquired land.

The government has also digitised its land administration process to curb challenges inherent in the system. Speaking at the launch of the online portal, Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) in Abeokuta, Abiodun disclosed that anyone or company that built on government acquired land have till November 30 to apply for ratification of their documents through its digital platform.

Abiodun said: “Applicants can utilise the portal to perfect property titles and obtain their Certificate of Occupancy, including those that have enrolled in the Home Owners Charter Programme,” he said.

The system, the governor added, would provide benefits to commercial, industrial and residential developers. He attributed the failure of the Home Owner Charter scheme of the previous administration to human factors and legal issues.

According to him, the housing schemes can also be obtained through OLARMS website. “Land is our own crude oil in Ogun State and we must manage our land resources to ensure the present and future prosperity of our state is assured.

“We also aim to harness the state’s land mass to further demonstrate the commitment of government to deepen the ease of doing business, as well as provide the needed ambience for business to thrive in the state.

“We also aim to establish an electronic registry, which will dematerialise CofOs and stimulate secondary real estate equity. This is where CofOs are no longer paper, they will be like your stocks and shares, it will allow birth of industries like credit Bureau.”

He called on those who could not obtain their land titles under the Home Owner Charter to complete the process to benefit, while those in diaspora could acquire land without hassles, using the land administration system.

The Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, described the system as a revolutionary and technological-driven initiative, aimed at leveraging on the huge potentials inherent in land with a view to enabling the state gain maximally from it.

On his part, the commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami, represented by permanent secretary in the ministry, Yetunde Dina, observed that the system was another giant stride of the administration as it would provide avenue for proper land management.

MEANWHILE, the state government plans to construct 250 low-cost housing units and restore pipe borne water to Ijebu-Ode axis.

Speaking during a virtual Town Meeting on 2022/2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Budget 2022 for Ogun East Senatorial District, at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, Abiodun also said that contract for the construction of Idowa road has been awarded and contractor mobilised to site.

He discloded that his administration has constructed almost 300 kilometers of road across the state, adding that the newly constructed Ijebu-Ode-Epe road would help in opening new industrial corridor in the axis, while the Cargo Airport currently being built, would engender more economic potentials in the district.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the meeting is to enable people express their desires and opinions on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and 2022 budget.