Lagos Earns N8bn From Land

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State government has revealed that it earned N8, 114,191, 292.35 from land transactions and dealings between May 2015 and March 2016.

This was disclosed by Bode Agoro, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Lands' Bureau, in the ongoing ministerial briefings to mark the one year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Agoro revealed that the government paid N288, 214,771.48 as compensation to claimants on land affected by acquisition of property such as Dangote Refinery project (right of way), Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit, (BRT) and Orile-Badagry road expansion.

“As part of efforts to satisfy the housing needs of residents, we are proud to announce that Governor Ambode approved the creation of three new residential schemes for allocation to the public,” he said.

“They are Safe Court Garden, Ijanikin, at N7,875,000.00; Treasure Park, Toga – Torikoh, Badagry at N6, 750,000, and Prince Court in Sangotedo, Lekki at N9,900,00.

“We are resolved and committed to improve our ways of doing things, but more importantly, we pledge to infuse more transparency, accountability and integrity, individually and collectively, into land administration in the state.

“We assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease of doing business in the state will be improved upon earnestly.

“We are proud to inform you that our indefatigable and technology driven Governor has approved the development of the Integrated Land Administration and Automation System which provides for a fully integrated end to end Land Administration platform for sustainable and automated land administration environment among others.

“To fast track the prosecution of any offender of the law relating to land grabbing, the judicial arm of the government has been fully equipped to deliver prompt judgment in line with section 52 and 53 of the criminal law of Lagos.

“The legislative arm has proposed a bill to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in the state and for connected purposes

“It will criminalise the activities of the land grabbers with prison terms ranging from two years to ten years upon conviction.”