Ogun releases new land titles under homeowners’ scheme

IN line with the Ogun State’s Government to increase homeowners with valid titles within its shore, a total of 1,000 certificates of occupancy (CofO) and building plan approvals, were last week at Abeokuta, issued and presented to residential property owners under its Homeownership Scheme.

The gesture, though not the first since the government commenced the process, elicited wild jubilation from beneficiaries, many of whom requested the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu to reopen the programme in order to carter for those who could key into it before.

With the development, more property owners in Ogun State have now added additional value to the property, which was made possible under discounted rates.

Distributing the C-of-O at the Arcade Ground in Oke-Mosan, the Governor, who was represented by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, said the Governor was very proud to identify herself with the programme, adding that, the Homeowners’ Charter programme had come to stay in the state.

She said the programme had made the issuance of C-of-O and building plan approval very easy putting into consideration the previous cumbersome and bottlenecks of the processes being experienced before the inception of the current administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Believed it is one sure way to empower the people, the Commissioner called on other states to emulate the Ogun at championing the cause of programme that would add value to the citizens of their state, saying that the 1,000 C-of-O and building plan approval distributed were in fulfillment of Amosun’s administration during his re- election campaign.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser/Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewole Oshinowo, said the 6th edition of the presentation of Cs-of-O was in appreciation of the Governor to the people of Ogun State for re-electing him to serve them for the second term in office, saying that the distribution of 500 unit of Cs-of-O per week would still continue.

The DG enumerated the benefits that homeowners in the state stand to get with the titles; including ability to use their property to secure mortgage loan. He also added that, with the titles in place, property could be transferred to children and great grand children, without less hassle. Also, he said now the beneficiaries could use their property, as collateral to access loan in the banks, and it does not need to be registered in IRS as its has contained stamp duty, to mention but a few.

According to Mr. Oshinowo “the programme, which was flag off in December, 2013 has issued about 8,000 C-of-O, which amounts to 25 percent of registered applicants in the state”, assuring that, the Bureau would continue to roll out 500 units of C-of-O each on weekly basis to home owners in the state”.

An elated beneficiary, Mr. Ayodele Oshokoya, who property is located at Ijebu Ode, appreciated the State Government for the initiative and urged the Governor to give the people of the state another chance to introduce the second phase of the homeowner’s charter programme, as he has been given the second chance to rule the State.

Oshokoya said that most of homeowners in the state doubted the programme when it was first introduced, adding that he has never dreamt of having C-of-O in his entire life talkless of getting it live and direct from the State Government, he said with giving them another chance many people will key into the programme and benefit maximally from the scheme.