In line with the state government policy on land acquisition, Governor Seriake Dickson has announced that N750, 000 will be the maximum payment per hectare of any land acquired by government.
The Governor who made the announcement while inaugurating members of the State Land Use and Allocation Committee in Government House, Yenagoa, however said that where there are crops or improvement made through human efforts on the land, government will value it separately and pay appropriate compensation.
He stated that no landlord will be allowed to hold the state to ransom for lands that are collectively needed for development.
“If private buildings are to be taken over in the public interest, which are allowed to do in the land use act, I will not hesitate to sign the appropriate acquisition notices”, the Governor stated.
Hon. Dickson called for sacrifice on the part of all, adding that the overriding interest of the state will always be paramount in government’s developmental plans for the State.
According to him government will begin massive acquisition of areas, reserve them as well as make adequate plans for their future use.
He sounded a note of warning to members of the public, who either out of ignorance or feel government does not care and have encroached on government land to leave the land as soon as possible as government is out to reclaim all its lost lands.
“For landlords or persons who have collected compensation and have gone ahead to sell government land without its authorization, you can be assured that the law will catch up with you”.
While, calling on the public to bear with government as it takes the necessary steps to beautify the state capital, the Governor warned land owners or individuals not to sell any land already acquired or about to be acquired by government.
Governor Dickson stressed the importance of land for development adding that as a state moving forward with a very ambitious development agenda and programmes, it needs to manage all its land efficiently and professionally.
Hon. Dickson explained that government is poised to turn around Yenagoa to a beautiful and befitting state capital of the Ijaw Nation.
According to him, the committee members are made up of people who are committed and professional enough to help government manage its land resources as well as advice it on the best ways to put the land to use.
The Governor frowned at the indiscriminate allocation of lands to government officials and their cronies describing it as an abuse of land policy in the state.
He stated that government will take disciplinary measures against people who develop structures without control or regard for aesthetics, adding that going forward, all lands will be properly planned according to the Yenagoa master plan.
“If we must allocate lands and plots, those in the committee will advise government” he noted.
Hon. Dickson, while disclosing that new areas would be opened up, said that no allocation will be made without a certificate of occupancy backing it up.
Responding on behalf of the Land Use Allocation Committee, the chairman, HRH Iboro Ige- Idaba assured Governor Seriake Dickson that the committee has resolved to take the assignment seriously because of the importance attached to lands, especially for developmental purposes.
He assured government of the committee’s readiness to key into the restoration agenda of the present administration.
