The Abia State Government has warned residents not to use intermediaries when applying for Certificates of Occupancy so as not to fall victim to fraud.
The government also announced that enforcement on land-related payments has intensified after the waiver granted by Governor Alex Otti for 2023 and 2024 expired.
Speaking in Umuahia on Thursday, the Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije, urged residents to go directly to the Ministry of Lands for authentic and official services rather than depend on agents or 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.
