Regeneration: Ogun Reads Act to Subscribers of GRAs Land

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government yesterday read riot act to new allottees of plots of land at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibara, Abeokuta, threatening to revoke allocation of any subscribers, who violated any of the rules set out in the subscription and agreement form, they completed and signed by the parties.

The allocation of the undeveloped land, was part of the process for the ongoing Ogun State GRA’s Regeneration Scheme in various parts of the state.

Addressing subscribers and other stakeholders, at an event held in MTR Hall within the GRA, the Commissioner for Housing, Chief Jamiu Omoniyi, stated the position of government on scheme, meant to turn the GRA’s in the state to what they should be, at a meeting on the regeneration efforts of the government.

Specifically, Omoniyi warned that allotees, who failed to move to site  within the time stipulated period in the agreement form, would forfeit the allocation and appropriate rules, shall be applied in case of refund of deposit.

He said government took the position to check land speculators, who may buy the land and wait for it to appreciate and resell.

The commissioner also stated that houses that must be built in a particular area, must conform with the prototype, particularly, the exterior.

He clarified that each subscribers can do whatever they want in the interior of the building, but the exterior must be uniformed.

Omoniyi, during interview with journalists at the site of Cluster One and Cluster Two, said subscribers must move to site within 60 days from the day of allocation.

He said: “Everyone that applied for cluster One and Two were considered because we didn’t sell more than what we have on ground.  

“Numerically, a total of 95 applicants applied and 100% were successful, and those are the one we are given plots to today. 

“The agreement was that you will not buy land for speculative purposes,  we will not allow anyone to buy and sell this plot within two years.  As a matter of fact, from 60 days from today you must start developing your plot, if you don’t,  there is an agreement under oath that everyone has signed, we will revoke those plots no matter how highly placed you are if you deviate from the agreement. We will revoke the land from you and allocate to another person.  

“We are given them 60 days to move to site and start building and within that 60 days you must process your building plan approval and do the needful. After that 60 days, you are given maximum of nine months to build your house.”

The commissioner explained that subscribers would also be required to pay Infrastructure Upgrade Charges to take care of some facilities like drainage, culvert just as the ministry, was already discussing with the State Water Corporation, so that each subscribers, will not need to sink borehole.

Speaking on security within the GRA, Omoniyi said the matter would be addressed and may involve blocking some access routes.

He said: “GRAs are owned by the government and its development is subject to certain rules that must be adhered. 

“We are planning it in such a way that whosoever has no business in the GRAs, has no business to enter.

“The government of Prince Dapo Abiodun is working towards ensuring that our GRAs look like what it should be.”

Omoniyi said an enlarged meeting that would involve those already residing within the GRA, would be summoned to fashion disclose new ways of doing things.

Speaking at the event, the Osi of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha, commended Abiodun, for his bold move to regenerate the GRAs.

He said the areas where civil servants quarters were living before the commencement of the regeneration, was already an eyesore that did not depict Abeokuta as a state capital.

Some subscribers who spoke at the event lauded the government decision that the allotees should move to site within stipulated period and that land  should not be resold, said the policy, would ensure that the place develops faster. 

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria, Ogun State branch, Dr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, commended the efforts of the government for the move. 

After the meeting, allotees were taken to the site where plots were shown to each subscriber.