The Seyi Makinde led Oyo state government has disclosed that it has established a new era in the State’s Internally Generated Revenue drive, through speedy issuance of land title documents.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barrister Abiodun Abdu-Raheem stated this at a day retreat organized by Private Networks Nigeria LTD for officials of the Ministry, held at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Abeokuta Ogun State.
According to him, Oyo State is blessed with resources and latent revenue opportunities which is needed to be unlocked.
“As a major stakeholder in revenue generation for the state government, we are here to strategize on how to move the state forward, because the state is blessed with resources and latent opportunities that needs to be unlocked”, he said.
Abiodun added that a cursory review of previous years’ performances show that over Two billion (N2 billion) Naira is being generated annually for the past three years through Land Use charges but this is far less than what is expected from the Ministry.
“A cursory review of previous years shows that only Two billion (N2 Billion) is being generated annually from Land Use Charges. This is a far cry from the income expected to be generated by a state like ours that desires to be self-sufficient with or without the Federal allocation”, he noted.
He further explained that since the inception of the present administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Ministry has been able to improve on its Revenue Generating strength through recovery of over two hundred (200) plots of lands which has been reallocated for interested members of the public.
Also, the Ministry has introduced Three hundred thousand naira (N300,000.00) as an expression of interest application fee for Housing Developers, as well as settlement of pending litigations against the state government on land matters among other things.
Barrister Abiodun pointed out that the retreat which focuses on issuance of Land title documents such as Home Owners’ Charter and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) will help the Ministry fashion out ways to let people obtain their documents easily and affordably.
“I wish to state here that the state Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde is establishing a new era where land title documents would be timely and accurately delivered to justifiable applicants”.
While speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinola Ojo described the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, as a major stakeholder in revenue generation for the state government.
He lauded the Ministry’s initiative to take part in the retreat, while he also assured that the Ministry of Finance will provide all necessary support at ensuring that the Revenue Generation initiative of the state government is not jeopardized.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lnads, TPL Ademola Ajibola said the retreat was very essential in educating and enlightening the officials of the Ministry on their roles at ensuring an increase in the revenue drive of the state government through the quick issuance of Land title documents.
