In this interview, Hon. Uche Nwosu, the Imo state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, tells CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA how the administration blocked the land racketeers in the state
The lands ministry I met
I arrived the ministry at a time its image and rating were at its lowest ebb as a result of the activities of past commissioners and administrators and the not-too impressive relations with workers. The place was also akin to a beehive of activities for land racketeering and malfeasance. Some staff and their agents engaged in the illegal trade in land. Again, the staff had low morale and some engaged in personal ventures at the detriment of government’s business.
On arrival, I sounded it loud and clear that it would not be business as usual and called for the cooperation of all as I worked towards achieving the state government’s Rescue Mission Agenda. I gave my assurance that workers’ welfare and entitlements would be uppermost in my mind.
Staff welfare
So far, I have worked towards the improvement of staff welfare in many ways. I donated a brand new bus to the Staff Welfare Committee of the ministry and makes a monthly contribution of N100,000 to the committee as my own contribution to their activities, thereby making the committee an active one. I gave every individual staff a medium bag of rice and donated some take home prizes like LCD TV, deep Frezers etc which some members of staff won through balloting last year. Also, some staff of the ministry were allocated lands through balloting to motivate them. All these have led to a cordial relationship between me and my staff.
Plan to open up new estates
Before my arrival, many layouts had remained inaccessible because the bushes were not yet cleared. When I came on board, I started clearing the bushes. I paid compensation for land, economic trees/cash crops and other traditional rites. These were paid to the affected original land owners.
Perimeter and pacilliation surveys were carried out on these lands, including opening up of access roads to make the plots of land accessible to the allot tees for development. I want to assure Imo people that I will open up all government estates or areas before I leave office so as to allow all land allottees go in and develop their plots.
Compensation to land owners
Apart from monetary compensations, 20% compensatory plot allocations were made to the original owners to show the human face of the government. This has reduced and diffused the tensed situation I met, arising from protests from land owners crying for compensation. I have been able to clear the backlog of claims inherited from past administrations.
Some of the areas cleared and compensations paid
Yes, I can. They are: Area T/TA (located at Avu and Nekede communities), the sum of N22,599,592.00 was paid; Timber and Allied Market Approach Layout (located at Naze and Egbu communities) N32,117, 750.00 was paid;Okohia Resettlement Layout (Umuguma Owerri West) N22,551,850.00; Imo State Free Trade Zone (Ngor Okpala) N123,500,000.00;Imo European University (Ideato South) N31,440,848.00;Part of Ekwema Layout (Commercial boulevard, Amawom) N4,352,211.57; and Imo Modern Market/Central Market Irete/Technology village (New Owerri/Avu/Nekede) N33,000,000.00 to mention but a few.
Other achievements
I introduced transparency in the allocation of land and eliminated sharp practices. There is also an agency that is in charge of information on land matters, Imo Geographic Information Agency (IGIA). Imo people should avail themselves of the use of the agency. With the breakthrough, improved facilities and logistics for processing of certificates of occupancy and land applications are assured. There would be elimination of alleged fraudulent activities associated with land titles and increased revenue generation without leakages.
I have also renovated and reactivated zonal offices of the ministry which were dilapidated before now, procured office furniture and work tools for the staff of the ministry and ensured the reclamation of open spaces around the Imo State Library and the former Garden Park Business Centre. Worthy of note is the one which has taken almost the whole length of Nworie River, which the State Government has designated as Civil war and Slave Trade parks.
