By Richard Thomas
As part of measures to ensure good governance for the people of Oyo State, lawmakers in the Assembly on Wednesday held a public hearing on Real Properties Protection Bill 2023 with the aim of considering observations and contributions of the critical stakeholders.
Speaking at the Programme held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Ibadan, the Chairman House Committee on Lands, Housing and Survey, Honourable Bamidele Adeola highlighted the importance of the public hearing on Oyo State Real Properties Protection.
He said it is important to state that there is existing law in the state to curb the incident of land grabbing which the Real Properties Protection Law, 2016 passed by Oyo State House of Assembly in 2016.”
He stated further that, “with the implementation of the law under reference by Governor Seyi Makinde led administration, it was discovered that the law was defective and could not achieve the purpose of curbing land grabbing activities in the state. The government decided to bring and initiate new bill tagged, “Oyo State Real Properties Bill, 2023.”
“The new bill is all encompassing and will address all grey areas that needed to be addressed, it aims to do among other things, repealing the existing law and creating a functioning agency under the governor’s office for proper monitoring and financing to get an appreciable result.”
According to him, the new law provides severe punishment for offenders that encroach or cause illegal intrusion, imposition, incursion, infiltration interference or trespass into another person’s real properties as from the commencement of this law.
“Offender and land grabbers will be severe death with and face the wrath of the law.”
“Another beauty of this law is that there would be task force in place and the creation of the special court codenamed Real Properties Protection (Special Offences) court to fast track the prosecution of offenders and quick administration of justice on LDS related matters.
The lawmaker who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju constituency in the Assembly said under the Seyi Makinde led administration, a lot will be achieved to stem the menace of land grabbing activities in the state with the support of Oyo State House of Assembly through the committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development under his watch.
In his remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Ajirotutu 1, the Aseyin of Iseyin who spoke on behalf of all the traditional rulers in attendance said, “The bills is in order, we need to support this bill but we shouldn’t give too much power to the law enforcement agencies as regards this bills in order not to allow them to abuse people, I don’t want people to be abused, there should not be jungle justice on matter related to this issue, so it’s a welcome and ideal ways of doing things.”
“The bill is needed now, in fact it’s kind of overdue, there must be sanctity in the industry to be able to encourage investors, if you have ever been a victim of land grabbers, you’ll understand what this bill is all about, it’ll curb the excesses of land grabbers, encroachers, double selling system, so is a good bill and I hope they will pass it into law.” Aseyin said.
While speaking with journalists shortly after the event, Honourable Bamidele Adeola said all the observations raised by the stakeholders, will be critically look into and those that are relevant and important will be considered.
Stakeholders present at the event included traditional rulers, government officials, draftsmen, artisans such as the bricklayer association, Oyo State chapter, other professional bodies, among others.
