By Dapo Akinrefon

Lagos—Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday approved the immediate release of 2,500 Certificates of Occupancy, Cs of O, to property owners across the state from today.

Executive Secretary in the Lands Bureau, Mr Olukayode Ogunnubi who disclosed this, said the development was in line with the governor’s effort to clear the backlog of Cs of O from the previous administration.

He said, “A clear distinction must be made that the present government wants Lagosians to maximise the economic benefits derivable from ownership of properties as evidenced by obtaining their legal titles.

“That’s what we are trying to achieve and that’s the reason why the governor decided to clear all the backlog. Now we do not have pending Cs of O on our table,” he said.

Ogunnubi said the advantage of the recent development will enable owners to leverage on the C of O as collateral to obtain loans from financial institutions for business activities.

“This will also contribute to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP and ultimately the development of the economy of the state,” he said.

He said; ‘’Going forward, Governor Ambode intends to ensure that the process of applying and getting the copy of the C of O is not only less cumbersome but treated within the stipulated time.

“So once we have any new applicant for C of O, the governor’s mandate is to ensure that he signs it within the 90 days tenure. Once you make your payment, we start the processing. Let me also report that we are going in the way of electronic-C of O fully (e-C of O). All the ones he signed are also e-C of O.

“In a nutshell, the idea is to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and this is what the governor intends to achieve in line with his commitment to make life simple and easy for the people”.

“This is a standard milestone as the last time such was witnessed was during the era of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande”, he said.

Ogunnubi said the list of the 2500 Cs of O signed by governor Ambode yesterday will be published today.

…Group hails gov’s 100 days

Meantime, a civil society organization, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate, CPPM, has described the first 100 days in office of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode as richly rewarding, saying the governor has exemplified excellence inn governance since assumption of office.

The group in a congratulatory message to the governor which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday and signed by its Chairman, Nelson Ekujumi said Ambode just like his predecessors has  followed in the tradition of responsibility, responsiveness and focused administration like his predecessors in setting the pace for delivering on his campaign promises and democratic dividends to the people.

“Ever since he assumed office, Mr. Ambode has left no one in doubt about his capability and competence as a tested and trusted administrator and technocrat of repute in discharging his constitutional responsibility, creditably to the admiration of the good people of Lagos State who are delighted that they made the right choice at the polls on April 11th, 2015” the group said.