Government land: Ekiti gives six-month reprieve to squatters, urges communities to monitor electricity bills collection

Ekiti State Government on Wednesday gave a six-month reprieve to about 5,000 people who have built houses on government land in Olorunsogo and Olorunda areas of Ado-Ekiti to regularise their titles to the land.
They are to pay N100,000 per plot on the vast expanse of land belonging to the state government.
This is as the state government urged communities in the state to form Electricity Consumer Association for effective bill collection and settlement, as the state said it would no longer be involved in helping them offset their bills.
These were disclosed by the Commissioner for Lands, Prince Taelolu Otitoju and the Commissioner for Utilities, Mr Deji Adesua, while briefing the media as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the administration of Governor Ayo Fayose.
Otitoju, while listing the achievements of his ministry, said squatters on government land in Olorunsogo and Olorunda were given the concession, following appeal to the government.
He, however, said the government would no longer condone indiscriminate development and erection of structures without due approval.
To also guide against fraudulent practices in the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, Otitoju added that the portraits of applicants would now be embossed on the certificates.
On the controversy that trailed the recovery of debts owed by occupants of Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti, he said many of them were recalcitrant in meeting their financial obligations to the government.
“Over N100 million has been recovered from debtors at Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti and the Ifaki Estate has been opened up and will soon be allocated. Also, Wemabod Estate is to deliver 250 houses along Iworoko Road and we are not relenting,” Otitoju said.
Adesua, on his part, said a situation whereby some communities were disconnected by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company for months would no longer happen if communities monitor their bills and pay on time.
He added that during the period, the Fire Services Department saved over N3 billion properties, while six lives were lost in 158 fire incidences.
Adesua added that over N70 million had been spent on repair works and provision of chemicals in the four major dams in Ero, Itapaji, Ureje and Egbe.