The Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Wednesday 24 July 2024 held a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta to inform media houses about critical legislations impacting their operations.

Commissioner of the ministry, Tunji Odunlami in his speech emphasised the importance of the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2022 and the Ogun State Layout and Land Sub-Division Regulation 2022. The commissioner noted that the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2022 regulates the advertisement and sale of land, mandating the Ministry to prepare, approve, review, and implement Local Plans, including Layout and Subdivision Plans. According to Odunlami, the Ogun State Layout and Land Sub-Division Regulation 2022 requires any entity intending to develop land over 1 hectare to obtain a planning permit and prohibits advertising or selling such land without a layout permit. Violations of these regulations can result in fines of N500,000, imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

Media houses, considered “persons” under these laws, must comply by verifying and obtaining layout permits from real estate companies before airing land sale advertisements. This ensures orderly development and prevents misleading advertisements that could financially harm the public. A one-month moratorium which was extended to two-month in the meeting by the commissioner has been granted for radio stations with existing contracts to comply with the laws as Post-moratorium with strict enforcement will begin after the two months and non-compliant radio stations will face penalties. Real estate companies are urged to obtain the necessary permits immediately with a list of approved estates to be published soon.

Odunlami encouraged media stakeholders to spread awareness about these regulations to ensure responsible and lawful development in Ogun State while noting that collaboration between the media and the state ministry is vital for fostering an orderly and sustainable environment.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr Sakiru Salaam and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Waheed Adesina both urged the media to sanitize the air waves and protect the public from fraudulent individuals who defraud people with such sales.