The Oyo State Government on Monday, revealed that through existing technological supports, it has digitalised a total of 438, 091 Property cards for public access.

This was revealed during the launch of the Online Property Title Search Platform by Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.

Speaking during the launch, held at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Governor, described the platform as a profound accomplishment that marks a significant milestone in his administration’s journey towards a more efficient and transparent lands administration system.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunwuyi, the Governor said the Online Property Search platform, developed by Oyo State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with her revenue Land Consultants, Messrs Private Network Nigeria Limited, is a veritable tool for enhancing, transforming and digitalizing the process for property search in the state.

He said, “transparency and accessibility are fundamental pillars in pursuit of progress and development in our Omituntun 2.0 working document, the Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 – 2027”

“We promised the people of this state to simplify land administration processes and further enhance the documentation of private lands. Today, with the launch of this online portal, we take a decisive step forward in simplifying the process of property acquisition and registration in Oyo State. This initiative not only aligns with our administration’s commitment to leveraging technology for public service but also underscores our dedication to ensuring that every citizen has equal access to information and resources”, he added.

The Governor said the journey has been one of collaboration and determination, commending the Ministry of Lands for their tireless efforts in bringing the platform to fruition.

“Their dedication to enhancing service delivery and facilitating ease of doing business in our state is truly commendable”, the governor said.

“With the Online Property Search platform, residents, investors, and stakeholders can now navigate the complexities of property transactions with ease. Whether it’s verifying land titles, checking property ownership records, or understanding zoning regulations, this platform empowers users with the tools they need to make informed decisions swiftly and securely.”

Also speaking the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Funmilayo Williams noted that the platform will enhance service delivery by transitioning from manual property search to an online system.

Mr. Funmilayo said the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has a diverse range of responsibilities, including monitoring and controlling physical development activities, formulating and implementing housing policies and programs, and designing government site and services schemes.

The Commissioner added that the platform is also a testament to the Ministry’s commitment to harnessing technology to improve the lives of our citizens. It represents a new era of accessibility, convenience, and inclusivity in the property sector, empowering citizens to make informed decisions about their property choices, fostering economic growth, and enhancing our global competitiveness

He urged all stakeholders, from citizens to investors, to embrace the new era of accessibility and efficiency.

He called for efforts to ensure that the benefits of the new platform reach every corner of the state, driving prosperity and sustainable development for generations to come.

The Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, noted that the launch of the online platform marks a crucial step forward in the collective quest for innovation, transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the realm of property ownership and transactions within the Lands sector in Oyo State.

She commended the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for the laudable idea of embracing technology to improve service delivery to the people of Oyo State.

“The online property search feature will make the process easier, more convenient, and faster, allowing citizens to conduct property searches from anywhere in the world.”, she said.

She noted that the humoguous tasks of the Ministry can be more effectively and efficiently carried out with minimal challenges through the support of technologically driven innovations, such as the online property search platform.

“This aligns with the Oyo State Roadmap to Sustainable Development 2023-2027, which promises to develop programmes for making land banks available for housing development” and “widen the tax net to capture about 90% of the population who currently do not pay land use charges”, she said.

She admonished the civil servants that will drive the process is to ensure the technology driven property search being launched today is owned by them.

“They should be willing to provide regular data updates and be ready to learn”, she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi said the launch is an aftermath of a retreat for staff members of the Ministry for better service delivery.

She said the platform will foster transparency in property transactions and promote accountability, through easy access to accurate property information.

Also, the General Manager of Private Networks Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ladigbolu Ayodeji said the platform will enable authorised individuals and organisations easy access to property information and transactional details from anywhere around the globe.

He lauded the Oyo State Government for keying into technology, adding that the platform will reduce the bureaucratic hurdles in search for property information and enhance efficiency.

The event was witnessed by key stakholders, including Estate Surveyors, representatives of Nigeria Bar Association among others, who solicited a wider spectrum to sensitize citizens on how the platform works.