The Oyo State Government has begun a 60-day Online Building Permit Amnesty (OYOBPA) programme, aimed at regularizing buildings that were constructed without proper government approval.
The OYOBPA programme kick-started officially on Monday and ends on the 27th of October, 2024.
The programme will also regularize those in violation of building regulations in the state and process new approvals within this 60-day window.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, stated this on Monday, in Ibadan, the State capital.
Akin-Funmilayo said the scheme was in line 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 had also approved that property owners could now get or regularize their building permits within the sixty (60) days amnesty period at a 20% 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,” he said.
“This amnesty period lasts for sixty (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 OYOBPA, 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.
“The application process for the amnesty period has started online across the 33 LG.
“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,” he added.
However, he said properties illegally occupying the State Government acquisition zone; properties within the circular road or circular road setback; properties directly under the power line zone and Properties within the disallowable proximity to the dam, and stream would not be granted amnesty.
He added that properties built on the road; within pipeline setbacks; and under Court/financial crimes matters would not be granted amnesty.
Akin-Funmilayo said this scheme, like every other Seyi Makinde initiative, promised to be great, seamless, and a worthwhile investment for the good people of Oyo State.
He said, “Let’s support the government to make Oyo State better, safer, and more viable”.
The Permanent Secretary, 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.
She enjoined owners of structures constructed without building plans to key into the initiative.
