Oyo Begins 60-day Building Permit Amnesty For Property Owners

Oyo State government has commenced a 60-day Online Building Permit Amnesty (OYBPA) programme, aimed at regularising buildings that were constructed without proper government approval.

The programme which commenced on Monday will end on October 27, 2024.

OYBPA was also conceived to regularise document for those in violation of building regulations in the state to process new approvals within the 60-day window.

Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development in the state, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, who disclosed this on Monday, said the scheme was in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformation and sustainable development agenda designed to enable the government to improve urban planning and enhance safety of lives and properties within the state.

Akin-Funmilayo added that the government had also approved that property owners could now get, or regularise their building permits within the sixty (60) days amnesty period at a 20 per cent discounted rate.

“This is to allow the good 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”, he said.

“This amnesty period lasts for sixty (60) days, and it is advised that all property owners (residential, commercial, industrial, educational, health facilities, etc.) within the state who have no building permit and have engaged in unauthorised development, or are currently planning to commence development should harness this opportunity”, he added.

The OYBPA, which is majorly an online process, will enable property owners to process their permits without falling victims to touts and middlemen.

The Commissioner gave the guarantee of property owners getting authentic permit which will prevent any further interference by the authority as regards their development as long as they adhere to the provisions of the approval.

Application process for the amnesty period has started online across the 33 LG.

“At the end of these exercise, an amnesty certificate will be issued to all who took advantage of this opportunity.

“In the same vein, we therefore plead with member of the public and our directors of zonal planning authorities to strictly adhere to the principle of granting building permit in the State,” Akin-Funmilayo said.

However the Commissioner said properties illegally occupying state government acquisition zone; properties within the circular road or circular road set back; properties directly under the power line zone; properties within the disallowable proximity to dam, stream would not be considered.

Similarly, properties built on the road, within pipeline setback, and properties under court / financial crimes matters would not be granted amnesty.

Akin-Funmilayo said this scheme, like every other of Governor Seyi Makinde initiatives, promises to be great, seamless, and a worthwhile investment for the good people of Oyo State.

He said, “Let’s support the government to make Oyo State better, safer, and more viable”.

Permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi said the scheme would regularise the database of properties in the state and ensure more security across all local government areas in the state.

She enjoined owners of structures constructed without building plans to key into the initiative.

According to her, the process also allows property owners who were not currently within the state to take advantage of the online amnesty window to either regularise or get a fresh approval for their building and other forms of property development.