DELTA GOVT. ISSUES 90-DAY ULTIMATUM TO LAND OWNERS OVER ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –Albert OGRAKA– 

Chief Dan Okenyi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey (right) presenting Certificate of Occupancy to Frank Onyisi Nwongo one of the beneficiary  during the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Beneficiaries in Asaba
Chief Dan Okenyi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey (right) presenting Certificate of Occupancy to Frank Onyisi Nwongo one of the beneficiary during the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Beneficiaries in Asaba

The Delta state government has vowed to declare all Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) that are not electronically generated into its “FastTrack Delta” data base invalid within 90 days.

The ultimatum was issued on Friday, August 12, 2016 to land owners in the state by the Commissioner for Lànds, Surveys and Urban Development, Mr. Dan Okenyi while publicly issuing some electronic C of O to recipients.

Although many land owners in the state have frowned at the enforcement of the newly introduced “Electronic C of O” which was flagged off by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in March this year, claiming it was an extortionist plot by the state government, the Ministry of Lànds, Surveys and Urban Development argued that the new policy allows land owners to pay the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira (N225, 000), effective from August 1, 2016 and be issued the C of O within 90 days of application.

Delta Information boss, Patrick Ukah on interview
Delta Information boss, Patrick Ukah on interview

Mr. Okenyi, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah during the issuance of the electronic C of O to recipients on Friday, insisted that the state policy would help eliminate disputes over ownership of landed property in the event of death, increases value of land since it is secure and fraud proof.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Lànds, Surveys and Urban Development has also been strenghtened to issue approvals for building plans within 48 hours upon the payment of necessary reg,ular fees, just as he added that the state governor has approved a discounted 7.5 percent payment on ground rent.

Earlier, Mr. Iku Chuks, a Consultant and Deputy CEO, FASTTRACK DELTA, said the mandate by the state government was to embark of the re-authentication and revalidation of both government and private lands which he said has proven to be of great benefit, hence it serves as collateral due to its electronic value and relevance.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said the initiative was not to witch-hunt anybody but to eliminate ambiguity in ownership of lands within the state, enjoining the media to help in forming public opinions on the gains derived from obtaining the electronically generated Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Obayomi Oladipo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FastTrack 90 (right) Chief Dan Okenyi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey (middle) and Surveyor, Okeoghene Osiawa, Surveyor General of Delta State during the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Beneficiaries in Asaba on Friday. PHOTO: GODDY UMUKORO
Obayomi Oladipo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FastTrack 90 (right) Chief Dan Okenyi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey (middle) and Surveyor, Okeoghene Osiawa, Surveyor General of Delta State during the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Beneficiaries in Asaba on Friday. PHOTO: GODDY UMUKORO

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

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Blank NEWS Online founding Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, Albert Eruorhe Ograka, is a Graduate of Mass Communication. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

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