General
Property Owners in Oyo Get 60-day Building Permit Amnesty
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Property owners and developers in Oyo State without building permits have been given a 60-day grace period to get approval for their properties.
This amnesty by the state government is part of its efforts to regularise buildings that were constructed without the necessary approvals.
A statement from the government disclosed that this initiative is under its Online Building Permit Amnesty (OYBPA) programme, which commenced on Monday, August 26, 2024, and will end on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
It was further stated that the scheme would also regularise those in violation of building regulations in the state and process new approvals within this 60-day window.
According to the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, the programme aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformation and sustainable development agenda designed to enable the government to improve urban planning and enhance the security and safety of lives and properties within our dear state.
He added that the government has also approved that property owners can now get or regularise their building permits within the 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,” the Commissioner said.
“This amnesty period lasts 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 unauthorized 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 victim to touts and middlemen.
He gave the guarantee that property owners would get an authentic permit which would prevent any further interference by the authority as regards their development as long as they adhere to the provisions of the approval.
“At the end of this exercise, an amnesty certificate will be issued to all who took advantage of this opportunity,” he affirmed.
“In the same vein, we, therefore, plead with members of the public and our directors of zonal planning authorities to strictly adhere to the principle of granting building permits in the state,” Mr Akin-Funmilayo noted.
However, he said properties illegally occupying the 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 the dam, and the stream would not be granted amnesty.
In addition, he emphasised that properties built on the road, within pipeline setbacks, and under court or financial crimes matters would not be granted amnesty, assuring that the initiative, like every other, would be seamless.
On her part, the 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 governments in the state, urging owners of structures constructed without building plans to key into the initiative.
Business Post reports that this development is coming barely a month after the Lagos State government ended its 90-day grace period for property owners in the state.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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