Abia State Government has cautioned residents against engaging the services of middlemen when applying for Certificates of Occupancy to avoid being duped.
The State also said it has stepped up enforcement on land dues following the expiration of the waiver granted by Governor Alex Otti to property owners in 2023 and 2024.
The Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije, who stated this in Umuahia on Thursday, advised the public to visit the Ministry of Lands for genuine and official services, and not rely on middlemen.
Chukwumerije, who flagged off the second phase of public sensitization on obtaining C of O in 30 days, disclosed that multiple allocations of certificates were given to different persons for a single land during previous administrations, but this is being addressed by the present administration.
He also revealed that the State government has recovered and regularized some public servants’ and industrial layouts which were not developed after their allocations, including estates acquired during the administration of Ukpabi Asika-led East Central State.
On compensation to landowners, the Commissioner said that the State government has paid fair compensation to owners of acquired lands in various parts of the State, despite the 1978 Land Use Act vesting control of land in the hands of the State.
He, however, said that the process is ongoing to resolve issues for any landowner who has not received compensation.
Also speaking on land acquisitions, the Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Lands and Housing, Okoroji Aji, assured landowners in Osisioma LGA and other parts of the State that there is no plan by the State government to forcibly take their lands.
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