THE Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has disclosed that though Lagos has about two million properties in its domain, only about 400,000 of these generates revenue into the coffers of the government in form of Land Use Charge.
The governor said recently, when receiving a delegation from Thomson Reuters, led by its Managing Director-Africa, Sneha Shah. But the governor however added that his administration was working towards ensuring effective land administration that would go a long way to secure the future prosperity of the State.
Alluding to the fact that Lagos was fast becoming a leading City-State in Africa, Governor Ambode said that efforts are currently being made to improve on revenue generation from landed properties, expressing optimism that the project would help to achieve the set objective.
“We know that there are about two million landed properties in Lagos, but right now what we generate revenue on is less than 400, 000.
“What this project means for us is that Thomson Reuters brings its expertise alongside other partners in this same project to ensure that at the press of a button, we would be able to see all the landed properties in Lagos, and that also secures the future revenues of Lagos.
So it is of paramount importance that we carry on and make sure that we execute this project,” the governor said.
Disclosing that the state government had decided to partner with Thomson Reuters to improve land administration in the state, Mr Ambode said the State Executive Council had already given its nod to the project that would bring about an effective Geographical Information System (GIS) to generate credible data on land administration in the state, which according to him will aid planning in the state.
“I am happy to let you know that with the approval of the Lagos State Executive Council, we have a partnership that is going to work for the benefit of all Lagosians and Nigerians in general.
“This relationship is beyond a business relationship, it is about the development of Lagos and that is the way I have seen it and that is the way we want to carry out this vision. We know that land administration issues in Lagos are of paramount importance to this government.”
Speaking further, the Governor said, “Beyond the fact that we have had fluctuating exchange rate, we have kept on moving forward with this project and I believe that the next 18 months, Lagos will have a very good data base. We are very glad that this has been a very credible and transparent process and I am happy that we are in this together. We thank you for believing in the economy of Lagos.”
Earlier, leader of the Thomson Reuters delegation, Sneha Shah said the Firm was pleased to be partnering with the State Government on such project, saying that the administration of Governor Ambode has shown leadership to move the State forward.
“One of the things is the way citizens are served and it is due to your vision and leadership, we are very pleased to be part of it, am very pleased to be working with such remarkable local partners and I think that is truly the mark of a successful project.
“It is when you can bring the best of global capabilities with the local implementation, the people who know what is really going on the ground and really and then you create something that is trustworthy, that is sustainable that would last the citizens for years to come. We just want to say thank you to you.
