EDPA to recertify estate residents, embarks on rent recovery

The Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA) will from November 27 to January 22, 2018, embark on recertification and rent recovery exercise for residents in its estates spread across the state.

In a statement, the Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, on Thursday, said that the exercise, which is expected to last for eight weeks, will target homeowners and estate residents.

The affected estates include Andrew Wilson, Evboriaria; Oregbeni, Federal Housing Estates I, II & III, Workers Village, C130 Estates, Ikpoba Hill. Others are Iguosa Housing Estate, BDPA Housing Estate, Ugbowo; Iyekogba and Ogbe-Ibya Estates.

According to her, “It has been observed that over time, a lot of issues such as illegal occupation, illegal construction, severe property neglect, huge arrears of ground rent, service charge and shop rent and squatters have been prevalent in the estates. There is an urgent need to curb this trend and set the pace for the future of our estates.”

Noting that the exercise will enable her team collect relevant data that would guide EDPA’s forthcoming programmes in the estates, she said, “We have engaged the Residents Associations, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Edo State Geographic Information System (EDOGIS), Security Services and other stakeholders to sensitise them about the proposed exercise. It is hoped that at the end of the exercise, we would have a complete database of the genuine owners/occupants and be able to issue Deeds of Sublease to the qualifying residents.”

She said the exercise will cost each resident N5,000, to facilitate the agency’s work, noting “Each resident is expected to pay the amount to EDPA Service Charge Account in GT bank: 0128778701. They should clearly state their name, using recertification as reference.  They are to produce the Teller of payment to be issued a receipt. All EDPA staff will have proof of ID to show to residents during the exercise. Residents are expected to co-operate with EDPA staff carrying out the exercise.”

She enjoined residents to provide means of identification, which include any of Driver’s Licence, Voter’s Card, International Passport or National ID Card, proof of purchase/ownership, proof of payment of mortgage, ground rent or monthly salary deductions, evidence of approval for alterations and developments as the case maybe.