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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has warned individuals encroaching on development centre lands and other government-owned properties across the state to desist or face sanctions in accordance with the law.
Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr. Matthew Nwobasi, issued the warning in Abakaliki during a meeting with coordinators of the state’s 64 development centres.
He lamented the increasing encroachment on development centre lands, describing the situation as unacceptable to the government.
Nwobasi reminded the coordinators that development centres were created by state law and not by local governments, stressing that at the end of their tenure they are expected to hand over to their successors unless directed otherwise by the state government.
He directed coordinators who had yet to survey their development centre lands to do so immediately and ensure copies of the survey plans are lodged with the Ministry of Lands and Survey.
The commissioner disclosed that ministry officials would embark on an inspection of development centres to assess the extent of encroachment.
He warned that any coordinator found to have failed to take reasonable steps to protect government land would be treated as a collaborator.
Nwobasi also directed coordinators whose surveyed lands had been encroached upon to take immediate steps to recover such properties.
