Ebonyi warns against encroachment on government lands

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By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

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The Ebonyi State Government has warned individuals encroaching on Development Centre lands and other government-owned properties in the state to desist or face legal action.

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The State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr. Matthew Nwobasi, gave the warning during a meeting with coordinators of the 64 Development Centres in the state at his office in Centenary City, Abakaliki.

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Nwobasi disclosed that several Development Centre lands had been encroached upon and directed those involved to vacate the properties immediately.

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He reminded the coordinators that Development Centres were established by the state government through legislation and were not under the control of local government authorities.

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According to him, coordinators are expected to hand over to their successors at the end of their tenure and not to local government chairmen unless otherwise directed by the state government.

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The commissioner urged coordinators who had not surveyed their lands to do so immediately and ensure that copies of the survey plans were submitted to the Ministry of Lands and Survey.

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He said the ministry would embark on inspections of Development Centres across the state to assess the level of encroachment and ensure compliance with government directives.

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“Any Development Centre visited and it is discovered that the coordinator is not doing anything serious to prevent encroachment will be treated as a collaborator,” he warned.

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Nwobasi further directed coordinators whose lands had already been surveyed but encroached upon to take immediate steps to recover the properties.

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Also speaking, the Surveyor-General of the state, Surv. Dr. John Igbede, said clearly defined boundaries for Development Centre lands would help promote peaceful relationships between the centres, host communities and other stakeholders.

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He explained that when the Development Centres were created, communities willingly provided lands for their establishment but that the boundaries had gradually been reduced through encroachments over time.

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Igbede stressed the need for proper demarcation and mapping of the lands to prevent disputes and protect government properties.

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Some coordinators, including Hon. John Nwofoke of Abakaliki Development Centre, Hon. Chukwuemeka Ali of Ishielu West Development Centre and Engr. Okoronkwo Ozioma Raphael of Okposi Development Centre, commended the commissioner for the engagement and appealed to the ministry to assist in recovering lands taken over by encroachers.

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