By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Property owners and developers in Oyo State without building permits have been given a 60-day grace period to get approval for their properties.
This amnesty by the state government is part of its efforts to regularise buildings that were constructed without the necessary approvals.
A statement from the government disclosed that this initiative is under its Online Building Permit Amnesty (OYBPA) programme, which commenced on Monday, August 26, 2024, and will end on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
It was further stated that the scheme would also regularise those in violation of building regulations in the state and process new approvals within this 60-day window.
According to the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, the programme aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformation and sustainable development agenda designed to enable the government to improve urban planning and enhance the security and safety of lives and properties within our dear state.
He added that the government has also approved that property owners can now get or regularise their building permits within the period at a 20 per cent discounted rate.
“This is to allow the good people of Oyo State to get their building permits faster, easier, and cheaper as the government will embark on massive enforcement of building permits after the amnesty period,” the Commissioner said.
“This amnesty period lasts 60 days, and it is advised that all property owners (residential, commercial, industrial, educational, health facilities, etc.) within the state who have no building permit and have engaged in unauthorized development or are currently planning to commence development should harness this opportunity,” he added.
The OYBPA, which is majorly an online process, will enable property owners to process their permits without falling victim to touts and middlemen.
He gave the guarantee that property owners would get an authentic permit which would prevent any further interference by the authority as regards their development as long as they adhere to the provisions of the approval.
“At the end of this exercise, an amnesty certificate will be issued to all who took advantage of this opportunity,” he affirmed.
“In the same vein, we, therefore, plead with members of the public and our directors of zonal planning authorities to strictly adhere to the principle of granting building permits in the state,” Mr Akin-Funmilayo noted.
However, he said properties illegally occupying the state government acquisition zone, properties within the circular road or circular road set back, properties directly under the power line zone, properties within the disallowable proximity to the dam, and the stream would not be granted amnesty.
In addition, he emphasised that properties built on the road, within pipeline setbacks, and under court or financial crimes matters would not be granted amnesty, assuring that the initiative, like every other, would be seamless.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, said the scheme would regularise the database of properties in the state and ensure more security across all local governments in the state, urging owners of structures constructed without building plans to key into the initiative.
Business Post reports that this development is coming barely a month after the Lagos State government ended its 90-day grace period for property owners in the state.