LASG Renews Call on Property Owners to Take Advantage of 90-Day Amnesty to Regularise Papers as Mosque Documentation Holds Sensitization

The Lagos State Government has renewed its call on property owners in the metropolis without proper documentation to take advantage of the 90-day window to regularise their papers.

It stated that officials from the relevant ministries and government agencies are available to attend to concerned residents under the amnesty declared by Governor Sanwo-Olu, aimed at ensuring that regularisation and proper titles are acquired for the affected properties.

A Director in the Lands Bureau, Alhaji Olawale Ojikutu, made this appeal while speaking on the benefits of the 90-day amnesty extension for Muslims during a public sensitization by Mosque Documentation in conjunction with the Market of Convenience, held at the Auditorium of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja.

He stressed that the issue of land is vital to all and must be acquired through legitimate and approved means.

According to him, land matters are very complex in nature, noting that they have resulted in long years of disputes among family members, friends, communities, states, and even countries.

Ojikutu explained that the lack of proper documentation is a major reason why families of those who ceded lands for the construction of mosques often reappear to claim ownership due to the absence of appropriate titles and documentation.

He made it clear that land acquisition is different from securing building approval, including that for mosques, which is very essential. He added that if the government decides to acquire land in the public interest, only those with titles and other legal approvals will receive compensation.

For existing mosques without titles, he urged them to set up a committee as trustees and then approach the Surveyor General’s office for a survey plan and land information that will determine the appropriate title to acquire.

He also charged the leadership of the Muslim community to seek the Governor’s consent on mosques without titles for proper regularisation and documentation, saying they stand to benefit from the Governor’s magnanimity in price reduction.

Also speaking, Agricultural Expert Mr. Ibrahim Olayemi, who spoke on food sustainability among Muslim communities, said it was unfortunate that many Nigerians have abandoned subsistence farming, which was of immense value to the nation in the past.

He believes that the solution to the food challenges ravaging the country is for everyone to return to farming, which modernization led us to abandon.

According to him, the Lagos State Government has continued to promote subsistence farming while also assisting farmers across the board with inputs to boost food production in the state.

Olayemi also demonstrated to the gathering how people without land in their homes can farm using sacks, buckets, plastic containers, and other methods, advising that these should be kept out of the reach of children.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Special Adviser to the former Minister of Works and Housing, described the initiative as a welcome development in resolving issues faced by mosques, especially those without proper titles and documentation.

Represented by the prominent broadcaster Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, Hakeem Bello said that the decision to address the current food challenges alongside insecurity was timely, given the current realities in the country.

He said he expects other states in the country to emulate Osun regarding price control on food items and other consumables.

Hakeem Bello noted that both the Federal and Lagos State Governments have put measures in place, including the free distribution of agricultural inputs for farmers and the Ounje Eko Sunday Market for residents, to reduce the effect of the high cost of food items.

The Convener of Mosque Documentation and Market of Convenience, Barr. Mussodiq Sanni, disclosed that he is currently handling cases involving the Ayobo Mosque, where the land it is located on and the Gowon Estate Eid ground were sold using fake documents.

He said that they have about 15 cases in court from different communities challenging the sale of mosques or other properties.

Barr. Sanni urged mosque owners in the state to take advantage of the 90-day amnesty by the government to formalise their titles.

Regarding the Market of Convenience, he said they were challenged by the rise in prices of food items, especially with the approach of Ramadan.

He narrated his experience at Egbeda Market, where prices of food items skyrocketed within 24 hours, a situation that could have been controlled if there were price control measures in place.

According to him, if Muslims, given their population in the country, are well organized, they could force down the prices of foodstuffs in the market.

He was optimistic that if one million Muslims embraced subsistence farming by planting tomatoes, vegetables, and other crops in their homes, it would go a long way in addressing food shortages in the state.

The Convener of Mosque Documentation also recommended that each mosque should have its own regulated mini-market within its environment, as well as other investments that will benefit its members.