The Oyo state government has given a 60-day grace to all building owners to regularise their documents.

The commissioner for lands, housing, and urban development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this in Ibadan on Monday.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo said the initiative, Oyo Building Permit Amnesty (OYOBPA), aimed at allowing property owners to secure genuine approval.

According to the commissioner, OYOBPA kickstarted officially on Monday to close on Oct. 27.

He said the scheme aligned with the transformation and sustainable development agenda of Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration.

He explained that the initiative was designed to enable the government to improve urban planning and enhance the security and safety of lives and property within the state.

“This is to allow the people of Oyo State to get their building permits faster, easier, and cheaper as the government will embark on massive enforcement of building permits after the amnesty period.

“This amnesty period lasts for 60 days.

“We advise that all property owners within the state, be it residential, commercial, industrial, educational, health facilities among others, who have no building permit and have engaged in unauthorised development or those who are currently planning to commence development, to harness this opportunity,” he said.

The commissioner added that OYOBPA, majorly an online process, would enable property owners to process their permits without falling victim to touts and middlemen.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo, however, said that properties illegally erected on state government acquisition zones and those within the circular road or setbacks would not benefit from the amnesty.

“Other properties that will not be captured under the initiative include structures directly under the power line zones and setbacks; those properties within the disallowable proximity to the dam and properties built on the road,” he said.

He added that properties under litigation or involved in financial crime would not be granted amnesty.

He urged interested property owners to visit town planning offices across the 33 local government areas or www.lands.oyostate.gov.ng for more enquiries.

(NAN)