The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed into law the State Land Control and Administration Bill, 2023, which sets standards for land agents, persons into real estate business and prescribes procedures to acquire and use land in the state.
Among others, the bill prescribes that land agents who are not professionally certified but involve in land transaction above 50 hectares within urban areas, 100 hectares within rural areas, estate development with more than 50 housing units shall be liable to a fine of N500,000 or a year imprisonment.
The bill further prescribes a N1million fine or two year imprisonment or both for anyone involved in real estate business without registration.
The passage of the bill into law followed a presentation by Chairman, House Committee on Lands and Survey, Honourable Dele Adeola at Thursday’s plenary.
Also aimed at knowing the intention behind acquisition of large expanse of land, the bill stipulates that any land for farming purpose above 100 hectares within the urban areas shall be subjected to the approval of the State Land Administration Committee (SLAC) chaired by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
The SLAC is also to approve of the use of land for commercial and industrial purposes to the size of not more than 50hectares within the urban area.
The bill also sets up a Local Land Administration Committee (LLAC) to approve of the use of land for farming purpose above 250 hectares within rural areas and for purpose of commercial and industrial use to the size of 100 hectares within rural areas.
Furthermore, the use of land for residential use, which includes housing scheme and estate development with more than 50 housing units shall be subjected to the approval of SLAC or LLAC.
Another stipulation of the bill is that any agency, corporate organization or companies or individual carrying on real Estate business in the state is mandated to register with the Ministry of Lands and Oyo State Housing Corporation.
Certified professionals in land administration who involve in Land transaction without due process are liable to be suspended from practice or fine of 500,000 or a year imprisonment.
The bill also states setbacks to circular roads in the State as 150m to the right side and 150m to the left.
Meanwhile, setback to rail lines in put at 200m to the right side and 200m to the left side, while setback to rivers is not less than 30m.
Elucidating after plenary, Honourable Dele Adeola, reiterated that the intent of the bill is to know the intention behind people acquiring many hectares of land thereby curtailing possible security threat.
He added that the bill will also regulate activities of land agents, estate developers and prevent a situation where all lands meant for industrial purposes are turned into residential.
He added that the SLAC and LLAC will help ascertain the intention behind acquisition of many hectares of land as well as help in resolution of land related disputes.
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