News
…Orders Re-Certification Of C Of Os
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has ordered for a fresh recertification of Certificates of Occupancy(C of Os) in the state.
Speaking at the second Land Summit organised by the State Ministry of Lands and Survey, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi said the exercise had become imperative to check the corruption in land documentation.
He directed the commissioner,’’ to write to all the banks that anybody without the current certification that Rivers State Government should not be held responsible for anything that happens to their loans’’.
He stressed the need for proper management of land as that would boost economic activities and inject sanity in property development, as he decried the rising level of encroachment on government properties by land speculators.
The governor noted,’’ If you had given out your land and you had being paid compensation you had no right to go back to that land ‘’.
Amaechi explained that the current computerization and up-grading of the state land registry was not only geared towards checking corruption in land documentation, but to authenticate land owners,’’ lawlessness is not the only problem, because the easiest way to bring investment to Port Harcourt was to unlock capital and land is capital .’’
Aside generating revenue for government, the Governor believed that,’’ proper management of land was important so that anybody who had a C of O has capital for himself .’’
He therefore, assured that his administration was ready to carry out massive land reforms to drive development in the state.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barrister Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi disclosed that the new computerisation and recertification exercise had earned the state about N2.5 billion since it begun in 2009.
Nevertheless, he revealed that owners of certificate of Occupancy owe the State Government N3.5 billion arrears of ground rent.
The Commissioner warned that the situation may compel government to enforce the law,’’those who hold fake certificates need not bother coming to us because we will ultimately retrieve from them, those government properties they illegally occupy’’.
He restated the commitment of the government to provide electronic platform for all real estate transactions in the state.
Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple speaking through Mr. Tete Inametie has assured of a coordinated land reforms and harmonisation of acquisition process in the country.
She averred that easy access to land was crucial to the realisation of the President’s transformational agenda, while promising to support the states in capacity building and training of staffers to achieve the vision.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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