The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, HRM Oba Kehinde Olugbenle has called on government to acquire lands within close proximity to water channels, streams and rivers, towards ensuring safety and reducing incidences of distressed and collapsed buildings across the State.

The Royal father stated this while receiving the management staff of the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA) in his Palace in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government.

According to him, one major challenge to land administration is the issue of family land, which are usually cut and sold indiscriminately to the public without obtaining layout permits from government, leading to the construction of low-standard and haphazard buildings across the physical landscape of the State.

Oba Olugbenle, who lauded the mandate of the Authority to monitor the process of building production and reduce incidences of building collapse, emphasised that government had the authority to acquire lands, towards ensuring safety of the population.

“Members of the public will continue to build in flood plains and other areas that could increase the chances of flooding, distressed buildings and ultimately, failed and collapsed buildings. Government should acquire all lands near water, the distance of which can be determined by relevant agencies, to keep the people safe,” the Paramount Ruler stated.

Earlier in her speech, the Acting General Manager of the Authority, Builder Titilayo Oladogbon, noted the importance of traditional institutions in creating awareness about government policies and programmes, requesting for permission to hold an extended sensitisation exercise on the Ogun State Building Production Management Regulation 2022 with the chiefs, Baales and local representatives of the areas.

“This Authority was established to ensure that construction and development are carried out as approved on the planning permits. We will be grateful to meet the larger community development council and other relevant stakeholders for more public enlightenment, so that people can know the dangers that distressed buildings, not building according to permit, or not using professionals for their projects pose,” the Acting GM stated.