PROPERTY NEWS

The Ogun State Government has flagged-off the re-certification of land tittles in the state. The re-certification process, which is being implemented by the state,s Bureau of Lands and Survey (BLS), came into force a week ago. The BLS is in charge of land matters in the state,

The BLS Director-General, Mr. Gbenga Ogunnoiki, explained last week in a statement that the recertification process would help capture and store comprehensive information on all land transactions in the state. The land re-certification would assist in attracting investment and promoting a very vibrant property market in the state, he added, pointing out that it would likewise help document and improve land information management system in the state.

A key feature of the re-certification programme, he noted, was that beneficiaries would receive the state,s new securitised certificate of occupancy (C-of-O), which is reportedly laced with security features that make forgery virtually impossible.

Ogunnoiki said the new C-of-O would be delivered in double quick time because it is part of the bureau,s geographic information systems (GIS)-driven land documentation process.

,,Whatever the size of the land, the owner is expected to come to the Bureau with whatsoever document he/she has to register the land tittles in order to guarantee ownership of the land,,, Ogunnoiki said. He explained that the process entailed the exchange of the former C-of-O, deeds of conveyance, lease and sublease for a new computerised C-of-O embedded with overt and covert security features.

He said the new GIS-based C-of-O allows all land records in the state to be computerised, stressing that since the new C-of-O is GIS-driven, confirmation, analysis, searches and investigations of land transactions would become easier, prompt and accurate.

Ogunnoiki also explained that the new C-of-O would assist the state in updating its records and in sourcing adequate information about land for proper planning and management.