Oyo State government on Thursday insisted that the ownership of some landed property belonging to the Federal Government were lawfully revoked and reallocated after years of abandonment and misuse.
The State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Akinfunmilayo Williams, stated this in response to a warning issued by the federal government to prospective buyers to stay off the lands.
The affected landed property are ;
1. Africa Regional Centre for Engineering Design and Manufacturing
(ARCEDEM), property measuring approximately 73.954 hectares of land, lying and situate along Iwo Road, Olodo Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
2. Federal Low-Cost Estate and Site and Services, measuring approximately 51.982 hectares of land, lying and situate at Idi-Ayure, Oyo State.
3. Federal Housing Scheme program, measuring approximately 90.61 hectares of land, lying and situate at Saki, Oyo State.
4.National Strategic Grain Reserve Programme, Federal Ministry of Agriculture property, measuring approximately 10.002 hectares of land, lying and situate at lyande Church Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
5. Radio Nigeria Property, measuring approximately 4.89 hectares of land, lying and situate at Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State.
6. National Horticultural Research Institute Property, located at Alalubosa Alesinloye Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
In the notice signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing, Mr. Shuaib Belgore, the Federal Government cautioned that “any individual or entity attempting to buy, sell, or claim ownership of the listed properties would be doing so illegally and at their own risk.”
In the notice signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Shuaib Belgore, the Federal Government cautioned that “any individual or entity attempting to buy, sell, or claim ownership of the listed properties would be doing so at their own risk.
However, Williams during a press briefing held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Ibadan countered the claim, saying the lands have been acquired legally by the state government.
Williams, explained that the state’s actions were guided by the Land Use Act of 1978, which vests control of all land in a state in the governor.
“Our action is not a hostile one; rather, it is a necessary measure to protect the state’s assets, restore investor confidence, and ensure that public land is utilised for the benefit of our people,” he said.
He noted that the affected properties had either been abandoned or left undeveloped for decades by federal agencies, creating security risks and hindering urban development.
“Under the Land Use Act, authority over all land in a state is vested in the governor.
“Federal agencies are tenants on such land. When they abandon or misuse it, it becomes our duty to reclaim and reallocate it in the public interest,” Williams stated.
While speaking on the abandoned Federal Sites that was reclaimed, the commissioner recalled that the ARCEDEM property along Iwo Road,
the land, allocated in 1983, had become derelict and overrun by criminal elements.
He said : “That parcel of land became a jungle, harbouring criminals and posing a security threat to nearby residents.
“Following several complaints, we issued a notice of intent to revoke its Certificate of Occupancy in September 2020 and formally reclaimed it the following month.
“It is therefore embarrassing that a federal ministry would now attempt to lay claim to land that was legally revoked five years ago and is already being put to better use,” Williams added.
Speaking on the Ona-Ara land, including the Raymond Jackie Estate, the commissioner explained that while the Federal Government retained some developed sections, vast areas had remained unused for decades.
“We have only taken over portions that are manifestly undeveloped.
“Some of these lands have lying idle for almost forty years.
“The Federal Ministry should rather put the remaining areas to use instead of allowing them to remain an eyesore,” he said.
Williams also clarified the status of properties originally allocated to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), noting that their temporary allocations had long expired.
“The land meant for broadcasting purposes has been misused and neglected, with parts converted into entertainment and hospitality ventures.
“The court has already dismissed a related case, affirming the state’s right to reclaim the land.
“The Certificate of Occupancy has been revoked and the property lawfully reallocated,” he added.
The commissioner accused certain federal establishments of disregarding state planning laws, saying some had undertaken construction projects without obtaining the required approvals.
“Some federal agencies assume their status exempts them from complying with state planning regulations.
“This is a clear violation of Oyo State laws. Even the Federal Secretariat complex and construction near the railway station have raised concerns about safety compliance,” he warned.
Williams vowed that the state would no longer tolerate such disregard for its laws, emphasizing that “Oyo State will not step back or allow the excesses of these agencies to continue to the disadvantage of our people.”
The Commissioner maintained that all the revocations processes followed due process.
According to him, all revocations followed due process, with notices of intention duly served and public announcements made.
“Every Certificate of Occupancy clearly states that if land is not developed within a specified period, usually two years, the holder risks losing it.
“Many of these allocations date back to the 1980s and have remained untouched,” he explained.
Reiterating the government’s stance, Williams said :“Our actions are not punitive; they are corrective and protective.
“We act to prevent potential dangers, reclaim abandoned spaces, and promote sustainable urban growth.”
He assured investors that the state’s actions should not create panic.
“There is no cause for alarm. The Oyo State Government fully supports legitimate investors committed to developing our state.
“We will continue to provide an enabling environment for business to thrive,” he said.
Williams reaffirmed the state’s sovereignty over land use matters, stressing that the Land Use Act empowers governors as custodians of all land within their states.
“Oyo State is sovereign in its land administration. Our duty is to ensure that land serves the people and not lie waste under the pretext of federal ownership,” he declared.
He maintained that the Federal Government’s recent notice misrepresented the true legal status of the affected lands.
He added that : “the parcels were lawfully revoked years ago in line with the Land Use Act, following due process and for the good of the people of Oyo State.” (vitalnewsngr.com)
