By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
All land-related transactions in Lagos State will be undertaken online beginning from first quarter of next year.
The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.
The governor explained that the plan was to further accelerate the process of getting approvals on land matters and create an enduring business-driven property development market in the state.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure at the maiden Real Estate Marketplace Conference and Exhibitions organised by Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), with the theme: “Unearthing real opportunities in Real Estate.”
The governor said that the state’s Department of Lands had built the required capacity for smooth transition to the online platform, stressing that the plan was already in its final stage.
He said, “When the web-based platform is finally launched, there will be no need for applicants seeking for Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), survey and building plan approvals to physically submit paper documents for authorisation.
“All documentation and payments will be done by applicants from the comfort of their homes.”
Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the new development would bring about quick turnaround time in land transactions and boost private investors’ confidence in provision of home ownership model that would address deficits in housing.
He said: “We have improved on our GIS solution to accelerating land matters in Lagos. From the first quarter of next year, we will be launching an online platform on which all land transactions will be done. When the project kick-starts next year, there will be one-stop shop for all transactions relating to land, including Governor’s approval on CofO, and building approval by Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
“We have given our commitment on this, because of the need to improve the turnaround time from when people submit their requests for approval and the time the authorisation is completed. We cannot afford to disappoint private investors and applicants seeking real time approval. We are raising our capacity, so that we can respond to the requests and discharge them.”
The governor also urged residents and property developers applying for approvals to stop cutting corners and circumventing the process, stressing that sharp practices would only make it difficult for impatient applicants to get their documents approved.
Sanwo-Olu reassured that his administration was committed to providing mass housing scheme that would address inadequacy in housing, pointing out that the establishment of LASRERA was part of the move to re-build integrity in housing market and gain confidence of private developers working with the government to realise the state’s housing need.
Besides, the governor also harped on the need for massive regeneration of properties in mainland part of Lagos, advising real estate investors and private developers to divert their investment to rebuilding mainland and redistributing wealth from the business.
He said: “I need to charge the real estate investors that everybody needs not build in Sangotedo or Ibeju Lekki. Let us go to mainland and start regeneration of the assets in that part of Lagos. This way, we would be redistributing wealth and creating opportunities for our citizens.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said that the conference was held with an objective to bring stakeholders in property business in contact with relevant government agencies and address bottlenecks slowing down property transactions.
She said LASRERA was created with a mandate to bridge the gap of credibility in property business, pointing out that the government responded to the yearnings of industry players, having realised there were genuine real estate practitioners and property developers, as well as genuine home and property seekers who were desirous of credibility in real estate transactions in Lagos.
Benson-Awoyinka said that the regulatory agency, since inception, had set processes in motion to change the negative image of property development business and check malpractices which the sector had faced in the last decades.
She said: “As a Government that is determined to bridge the housing deficit in the State, we are aware of our role in not just the provision of houses, but also create an enabling environment for the private sector working hand in hand to a desired end.
“We are making a renewed appeal to investors in the sector to team up with the state government to create a home ownership model that will help address the deficits observed in housing market in the state our through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in providing mass housing for our people.”
There conference featured exhibitions for home marketing firms, Government and private property developers.
There was also a panel of discussion in which private practitioners, heads of relevant Ministries and agencies provided explanations on housing market can be improved.