Surveyors seek support for Oyo home owners’ scheme

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has pledged to support the State government’s ‘Home Owners’ Charter’ programme, which will make documentation of land and properties’ less strenuous and cheaper.

The Oyo State Chairman, Prince Aderemi Femi Kobiowu who disclosed this to media personnel noted that the documentation, which encompassed survey plan, certificate of ownership (C of O) and other important requirements will cut out 50per cent of actual cost of obtaining the various documents.

He, however, called on the government to look into the suggestions given by the institution over the cost of procuring survey plan.

According to him, the scheme is not just going to be a success, it is going to be one of the legacies the administration will leave behind, if well implemented.
 
He stressed that it is an idea that has given enough financial freedom to members of the public to own land and properties.

“We have submitted a blueprint of NIS, which stands as our input into the programme and other policy directions of the State that affect our members. The most important part of it is the cost of land survey in the charter, which we believe the present administration, should look into,’ he added.

Kobiowu urged the government to open up acquired forestland for investment and adopt cheaper housing programme to grow the state’s economy.

“We have seen the difference between an administration whose contractors were all from Lagos and the one that believes in patronising local contractors and professionals, this has shown us that in Oyo State, post- COVID-19 era will be beneficial to the people.

“We have assets in land and moribund assets, this government has taken the very first step by inviting local and foreign investors to come and do business here, we will all reap the benefits.”
 
Kobiowu also called on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently look into the resolution of the 8th Assembly on the Ibadan Circular Road’s setback, which he said the former administration put at 500 meters and reduce the setback to 150meters to allow for economic activities in the area.

The effect of the acquisition of the one-kilometer of land along the corridor of the Ibadan Circular Road, he said, is that several villages and developed areas along the corridor would be included in the acquisition and development there will be retarded.

He further stressed that development is better driven by private investors with the guidance of government. “It is better government controls the development of the areas for effective cost reductioninstead of wholesale acquisition,” he said.