Land grabbing and fraudulent sale of lands may suffer a setback in Rivers State as government-approved but community-based land development authority has been set up in Alesa, the host community to the Port Harcourt refineries.
The land development committee system may provide solution as Rivers State begins experimenting the community-based control system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated at the weekend by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor Mkpe.
The State has been gripped by the vicious hold of land grabbers who have moved with armed hoodlums backed by security agencies to crush opponents and take over lands or even built up spaces.
In the case of Alesa, the paramount ruler of community, Mkpe, a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, has often advocated for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by Mr Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler condemned sharp practices in land sales in the state with Alesa as an example.
The paramount ruler said: “We have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.”
He said bad land practices have created a lot of problems in their community. “And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We are also seizing this opportunity to encourage investors and businesses to feel free to come and invest in Alesa. We have many investors already showing interest and some are already here, who are interested in investing here.
We will not allow them to invest their money where it will be wasted. To those buying lands without due diligence, we advise them to please henceforth desist from buying land from anyone.
“The question of cutting corners to buy lands is totally canceled in this community because we want to protect investors’ funds. This is because some of the investors borrowed huge sums but at the end, the land they bought is a one.”
He said they are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
To hose wishing to go to Alesa as land grabbers, the paramount ruler warned. “Please do not come near this commodity because if we catch you, we will show you the way out. So that is the reason we are here today so that anybody who is buying land here should come and identify with us so your money can be safe.
He called investors to buy and develop immediately. “We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.”
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, Olaka, the new chairman, vowed never to betray Alesa. “I hereby pledge never to betray this community or the palace. This is my hometown.
“Let me stand to say this afternoon, I want to really express my profound gratitude to God Almighty, who has made today possible for us to gather here, for this land development committee.”
He said “The essence of this committee is to make sure that Alesa develops faster. Those coming to invest will not have any trouble. You will be unhurt. That is why the council of chiefs deemed it necessary to form this committee”.
In his response, My-ACE China, the Mayor of Housing, who is behind the fast-approaching development in the area, the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to bring an end to land grabbing.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
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