Oyo Govt Gives Owners of Abandoned Properties Two-day Ultimatum To Utilize or Forfeit to Govt

The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, issued a two-day ultimatum to owners of abandoned buildings and structures in the State capital to make judicious use of their properties and ensure proper documentation with the State Government.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Akin Funmilayo Williams who gave the ultimatum while speaking to newsmen in Ibadan, ordered that owners of abandoned buildings should either utilize them for meaningful purposes, remove them or have the Government take over such properties.

Akin Funmilayo warned that after the expiration of the ultimatum, the  State Task Force would move in to enforce the takeover of such abandoned properties which have become a coven for criminal acts posing a threat to the lives and properties of citizens.

He said the State will not condone abandoned buildings harboring criminals, miscreants, and unwanted elements to take over the sanity and safety of the people because of the negligence of some individuals as such structures will be taken over by the State Government.

He urged the owners of all illegal structures, shanties, and abandoned buildings that have caused them to become hideouts for criminals and illegal activities should immediately swing into action otherwise State would take over for the overall public interest.

This assertion was made by the Hon Commissioner during an unscheduled visit to one of such structures known as De Castle Inn which was ininitiallyotel but nois w abandoned and converted into a den of criminals, ritualists, and other unscrupulous elements.

He said “This is especially meant for owners of abandoned buildings in the state, and they have between today and the next few days to comply with directives and have the   Government contend with them.

“We all experienced the sad event that occurred recently, whereby explosives were illegally stored within a residential environment. Getting here today, the building called De Castle Inn which was constructed over forty years ago has become a criminal hideout.

” Today’s visit is the all out of security reports reaching us on nefarious activities taking place on the premises. As you can see, illicit substances recovered with the help of the local security employed to look after the building were displayed. It is the Government’s responsibility to proactively safeguard lives and properties to avert disheartening occurrences in the future” Akinfunmilayo said.

“We are using this medium to sensitize members of the public and residents of the State who encourage these illegalities to immediately desist and mend their ways.

“However, the Government cannot do it alone. we can only appeal to the public to report cases of abandoned properties within and around the state, as the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine, and we will always take the necessary steps to enforce that sanity is restored and illegality is put to check,” He said.