The Anambra state ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development has declared their readiness for issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), to private land owners within 30 working days.
Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, state Commissioner for Lands, disclosed this during the 2022 Revised Budget defence, before the state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Awka.
Amucheazi said that the ministry had set timelines for land or property documentation processes to address numerous complaints from residents.
He described C of O as a document issued by state governments to landowners and property buyers as a legitimate proof of ownership.
“When we came in, timeline was a major challenge and to address that, we streamlined our timelines and I can tell you authoritatively that we are working with the timelines.
“Before, it takes about two to three years to obtain C of O but now, as a private land owner, you can obtain your C of O within 30 working days, so long your documents are complete.
“As time goes on, we will work on a downward review of the timeline.
“We are yet to set a timeline for issuance of C of O for state-owned land, because we are waiting for the report of the Land reform committee set up to investigate some issues,” he said.
The Commissioner said the ministry had started digitalising land documentation processes in the state to prevent delays.
“We have stated test running the Fast Track Mortgage system.Once you submit your documents, your mortgage will be out within 10 days. And we are keeping to the timelines.
“By August, we will commence a
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) system and Gov. Charles Soludo has approved it .
“Once it commence, within one and half years, we will have an effective GIS system to store, analyse, and visualize data for lands.
“We also hope to have a fireproof safe to protect all land documents in the state. Ministry of land is very crucial and if we do not get it right, we can not achieve anything in the state, ” he said.
Reacting, Mr Chidi Udenmadu, a lawmaker representing Ihiala Constituency l, who chaired the committee, expressed satisfaction with the budgeted projects of the Ministry.
