Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has granted a 67% reduction in land regularisation fees payable by landlords who own property within government acquisition around Lagos State University (LASU) community.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the Governor said that the decision was reached after series of meetings with the affected landlords through their Community Development Associations (CDAs), Office of the Surveyor- General, Lands Bureau, Lands Regularisation and other government agencies.
He said, following the interactions, land valuers were invited to assess the land to determine the appropriate price for each plot and the subsequent report of the stakeholders’ committee estimated the total cost of regularisation, titles and Certificate of Occupancy at N3.9m.
Ambode disclosed that due to the lull in the economy, he directed all agencies on lands regularisation particularly on the LASU issue, to reduce the total cost on every plot of land affected by 67%, hence the amount payable per plot from survey to regularisation and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) has been reduced from N3.9m to N1.25m.
He affirmed that his administration has also granted two requests of the stakeholders namely, to cease being tenants of LASU but that of the Lagos State Government, thereby making all necessary annual payments to the State government and to make the process for payment by the landlords considerate and flexible.
The Governor, while granting both requests, said that in addition to reducing the fees payable including the process of C of O to N1.25m, the State government would not demolish any single building in the area for contravention except for those that have deliberately built their houses inside LASU premises.
“We have agreed that we will not demolish any building except those who deliberately went into LASU compound to build their houses. No government would allow residential buildings within an academic environment, it may be too dangerous to allow this to hold” the Governor asserted.
While informing the affected landlords that there would be a new timeline for payment of the newly approved rate into the government coffers, Ambode warned against offering bribes to any dubious persons who may pose as government officials, adding that the State government has created a seamless and transparent payment process that does not require agents.
Responding on behalf of the stakeholders, the Baale of Igbo Elerin, Chief Taofeek Oseni commended Governor Ambode for his kindness and consideration for the poor in his all-inclusive government.
He expressed the gratitude of the community to the present administration saying said “would ever remain grateful to this administration; many of us had thought we would be forced to sell our Property by the time the State government came out with the amount to be paid. We are all happy with the new conditions only with a plea that government should also consider a further reduction for those with just half plots of land”.The meeting was well attended by representatives of the State government, traditional rulers, CDAs and CDCs among others.
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