Kogi State Bureau of Land and Urban Development (BLUD) has cautioned communities within the state’s 16 kilometres radius to desist from allocating land without government’s approval.
Director-General of BLUD, Alhaji Samari Teina Abdulmalik, gave the warning during a stakeholders’ meeting on land administration held at the Government House, Lokoja.
Abdulmalik who stated that the meeting was not convened to take away land belonging to communities, noted that issue of allocation of land within the stipulated 16 kilometres radius in the state’s capital is the prerogative and a rights reserved for Bureau of Land and Urban Development.
He warned that sanctions await whoever go against the Land Use Act of the Federal Government and the Kogi State Law called 16 kilometres radius, while assuring that government will not relent in its effort to pay compensation for any land acquired from communities.
“We are not here to take anybody’s land, but I am assuring you that any land acquired by the state government from any community will be adequately compensated for. So, we want the communities and other stakeholders to stop arbitrary allocation of land without government’s approval.
“Whoever needs land should come to the Bureau so that we can have proper plan and good layout that will pave room for development because it is in our plan to effect massive development in Lokoja, the state capital.
In his remarks, the Olu of Oworo, Alhaji Mohammed Adoga, described the stakeholders’ meeting on land administration as timely and urged the Bureau to intervene in land dispute that has become a major threat to development in many communities.
Also, the Olu of Akpata-Oworo, Oba Fedrick Durojaye, described land as a precious gift of nature to communities, stressing that it is imperative for the land owners to guard it jealously.
The traditional leader appealed to the state government to take development to the rural areas by opening access roads, provision of electricity and other basic necessity of life.
“It is time for communities to allow government presence in their areas for viable development,” Oba Durojaye said.
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