Eighty-two private developers that applied for land under the private developer's scheme of the Lagos State government have been given approval for allocation, while 40 of them have already been issued allocation letter. Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has said.
Besides, the Bureau has also budgeted about N3 billion for compensation for this year incase of lands and houses that would be acquired by the government for public interest.
Muri-Okunola, who disclosed this at the 2011 ministerial press briefing of Lands Bureau in commemoration of the fourth year anniversary of Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said it's the Bureau's strategic intent to build an effective and efficient Land Administration in Lagos State that will offer comprehensive services to the people of the state.
He said that the priority of bureau for the year was to continue efficient land administration transformation that will enhance the Lagos Mega City project, expand the footprint in ICT compliance and to maintain the leadership position in land administration in the county as well as meet the world standard of best practices.
According to him, the bureau generated N13.23 billion from January to December 2010 which represent 83.61 per cent of the revenue budget provision of N15.9 billion. He however, said the revenue performance is lower than the figure generated in the year 2009.
Said he: “But percentage wise, it is higher than the previous year. That is, in the year 2010, the Bureau achieved 83.61 per cent performance, while 66 per cent performance was achieved in the year 2009”.
The Bureau Permanent Secretary said apart from the lower performance in revenue generation which was due to the global economic recession that affected almost all countries of the world, the Bureau was faced with the reality of almost all of its land schemes fully subscribed and closed for further allocation.
He noted that from May 29, 2007 to February 28 this year, a total number of 24,765 applications were received for Governor's Consent, while a total of number of 8,926 applications were approved and a revenue of N11,447 billion was generated from subsequent transactions.
He added that from March 2010 to February 2011, a total of 8,913 applications were received for Governor's Consent while a total sum of N3.9 billion was generated as revenue.
Part of the on-going scheme awaiting topographical surveys he listed include Oba Akran Garden scheme, Suntan Beach scheme, Iya-Afin residential scheme all in Badagry; Arewa court scheme, Lekki sub region; Idera city scheme; Erelu estate, Olokonla; Magotho city, Badagry; Pota residential scheme; Povita Akakumo residential/mixed development scheme Badagry; Ibeju Lekki coastal city; Fadaka City Badagry among others.
Muri-Okunola added that the Bureau is intensifying its efforts to further reform its Land Administration with a view to ensuring that only the world acclaimed best practices are in use in the state.
Source: Nigerian Compass