The Lands Bureau in Lagos State says it has raked-in over 20.7 billion naira in the last one year; which represents a 45% budget surplus for the Bureau.

 The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs Yetunde Onabule gave the hint at a news briefing in Ikeja.

 Mrs Onabule added although the expected revenue from new residential schemes being developed by the government, the Lands Bureau remained the second major revenue earner in Lagos State.

 “In spite of the challenging financial crisis in the Country, I humbly submit that our gross earnings in the year under review is put at N20, 773,862,768.47; the revenue performance which considerably surpassed the total revenue of the previous year by  =N=11,454,316,793.4, was due to a transaction on the sales of land for industrial development in the state, the revenue performance for the year under consideration exceeded the Bureau’s budget for the period by 45%.”

 “May I emphasize that asides the one- off transaction; expected revenue from the New Schemes during the period under review, could not be realized in view of infrastructure development within the new scheme, thereby making it difficult for us to generate revenue from these sources,” she said.

 The Special Adviser maintained that the Bureau would continue improve on the current revenue generation performance especially at the kickoff of the new schemes as well as during transactions on state lands.

CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY

 She hinted that the government remained passionate about prompt issuance of certificates of occupancy, (C of O), which had led to the signing of almost 5,000 electronic C of O.

 “Let me make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, the Governor, is passionate about obtaining Certificate of Occupancy with ease in the present cosmopolitan State of Lagos. As such, he had signed cumulatively, since the inception of his administration, a total of 4,445 Electronic Certificates of Occupancy (E- C of O); this feat, no doubt, is borne out of His Excellency’s renewed effort and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land titles, as well as the increased awareness created by this administration which spurred property owners towards having titles for their landed property,” Mrs Onabule affirmed.

 COMPENSATION

 On the issue of compensation, she noted that despite the fact that land titles were always revoked due to over-riding public interest, government remained duty bound to pay compensation.

 According to her, over two billion naira has so far been paid as compensation to individuals/groups within the period under review.

 However, she reiterated that payment of compensation must be with the presentation of all necessary documents as may be required, evidencing ownership of the land, saying that government would not relent in its efforts to pay compensation.

 “We have paid and shall continue to pay compensation to all affected persons/groups, Furthermore, individuals/groups are given alternative land in lieu of monetary compensation; the breakdown and beneficiaries of compensations paid so far are listed below:-

 

S/N	BENEFICIARIES	AMOUNT PAID
1	Abule Egba Link Bridge	N 751, 455, 688.80
2	Oko Baba Sawmill Relocation	N 39, 053, 120.00
3	Isale Igangan Regeneration Project	N 350, 890, 464.00
4	Olorunsogo Market (Shops)	N 447, 324, 921.00
5	Mosafejo Community/Olorunsogo Ultra-Modern Market	N 118,130,000.00
6	Epe (road expansion) Phase 1	N 315, 839, 900.00

 

 Furthermore, compilation of payment of compensation is under processing, enumeration exercise/data analysis on proposed sites on other acquired/revoked properties on the following areas to name a few are on-going:- Orile/Badagry road Expansion; Epe Road Expansion Project (Phase II); Block 25A Lekki Scheme 1 (Freedom Road expansion and Drainage channel) Data analysis. Proposed sites for BRT bus lane/park, Abule Egba axis; Site acquired for Housing Estate in Ilado, Igbogbo; Free Trade Zone resettlement land, Lekki Coastal is ongoing,” Mrs Onabule said.