The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Ondo State Chapter has appealed to Ondo State Government to review its decision on the possession of a C of O as a prerequisite to obtaining development permits.

In the alternative, the institute suggested elaborate awareness drive with a view to ensuring reduction in the number of people currently developing without building plan approval in the state.

These were contained in the position paper presented to the commissioner for Physical and Urban Planning, Alhaji Amidu Takuro by the institute when they paid him a courtesy call in his office.

The association led by its President, Mrs Mariam Ologun said implementation of possession of valid title documents C of O as prescribed by the ministry needs to be re-considered.

“As a Professional Association and in line with the Ondo State building and sub division regulations of 1984; which is the operating law of the ministry in the administration of planning approvals; the implementation of possession of valid title documents C of O is alien to the law and there will be need to re-consider the directive by dropping the compulsory attachment of C of O as condition for processing of building plans on private land.”

They said Arakunrin Akeredolu Administration is known to be a very democratic government opined that the  government is founded on social inclusion and economic prosperity for all.

They commended the existing welfarist programmes of Mr. Governor and the commitment to reduce the pressure of the Post Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Ondo State

“The Arakunrin Akeredolu Administration is known to be a very democratic government, it is a government founded on social inclusion and economic prosperity for all. Thus, these suggestions are to further promote the existing welfarist programmes of Mr. Governor and the commitment to reduce the pressure of the Post Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Ondo State.”

The institute said neighbouring states in the South West, namely – Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states are not using this policy of Certificate of Occupancy as condition for building plan approval saying the planned implementation will be at variance with what is obtainable in any part of South West, Nigeria. While the implementation is not new to the government-owned land / estates

According the institute, procedure for collection of Certificate of Occupancy, even under the Home Charter Amnesty (HOCOS) programme will take at least a minimum of 60 days for a C of O to be delivered, all things being equal.

It’s said it therefore implies that all applications will be delayed for a minimum of 60 days before going through the town planning procedures which take another 30 days minimum. This will be a big setback to the policy of Ondo State Government on the ease of doing business in the State.

This policy will reduce the submission of application by less than ten percent (10%) of the current rate, owing to the introduction of tax clearance by the Ministry and coupled with the increase in the government fees order dated 1st of March, 2022, drastically reducing building plan submission in the state. If this policy is adopted, the Ministry will not only record low application, its contribution to the state internally generated revenue may near zero.”