Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Sir Bon Unachukwu has expressed the desire of his ministry to establish new layouts in each of the local government areas of the state. According to him, this move is to foster development across the state.
Sir. Unachukwu made the disclosure while speaking on a radio program on Gov. Emeka Ihedioha’s first 100 days in office. He said the new layouts when established will bring development to the various local governments, as well as decongest the state capital and reduce the high cost of living that is witnessed in the state capital.
The Commissioner stated that due process will be followed in the process of acquiring lands for the new layouts as against the old practice of forceful acquisition of lands from land owners. He also hinted that medium and low income earners will be considered in the allocation of lands for the estates to ensure that democracy derivables get to the ordinary citizens.
Sir Unachukwu who is a chartered surveyor posited that Gov. Emeka Ihedioha’s administration has recorded both tangible and intangible achievements that will serve as a solid foundation for a prosperous Imo State based on the rebuilding Imo agenda of his administration.
He said the governor started with the assemblage of top notch professionals with pedigree as his Commissioners, SAs, SSAs, etc, to form a formidable team that will deliver on the huge expectations from Imolites. He expressed confidence that Imo will flourish once again under the watch of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
The Commissioner informed that upon his assumption of office as the Commissioner, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, he was confronted with a disorganized Land Administration system that negated the provisions of the Land Use Act, the extant law for the administration and management of land in the country.
“We identified the lack of transparency, impunity and disdain for due process that plagued land administration in Imo state. Issues ranging from revocation of existing titles to land without due process resulting to multiple litigations against government to allocation of land without due process resulting to undue acquisition and massive stock piling of plots of land by influential people in government who in turn sell these plots to the people at high prices” he said.
“In the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, we have set out to reinstate the old honored land administration procedures where no title would be revoked without preparing the necessary documents with the inputs of Lands and Survey departments of the Ministry.
We have also set out to ensure that no allocation of land would be given to any person or persons without passing through the due process and final selection of qualified allottees by the Land Use and Allocation Committee as provided by law.
Within the first 100 days, we at the Ministry of Lands have resuscitated and reactivated the 3 zonal offices overseeing land administration in the three zones of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe and the 27 Planning Authorities in each of the 27 Local Governments. Each of these zonal offices and Planning Authorities are been made to have a functional, effective and efficient schedule in the State headquarters.
Going forward, we are developing a robust Development and Action Plan for the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, and I wish to state that our first and most important priority have been to eradicate corruption in the ministry and restore confidence of Imolites and property investors on transparency and accountability” the Commissioner stated.
Sir Bon Unachukwu said the ministry will ensure the computerization of the processes of land administration which will simplify registering properties and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. “When we finish, CofO will be processed and issued within a maximum of 3months. We are really focused and determined and we reassure Imolites that the rebuild Imo agenda of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha is fully on course”, he said.
