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RSG Warns Against Land Dev Without Due Process
The Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Survey says it would not tolerate land developers and agents in the state who do not follow the due process of large land purchase from communities before doing business with such lands.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alozie Nwala gave the warning when the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) led by its Chairman, Hamilton Odom, paid him a courtesy visit as part of the institution’s end of year activities.
Nwala lamented that the greed of some land agents who do business with community land property without full payment has been a major factor of land conflict in the state.
He said “These land agents will buy large quantity of land from different communities and now put back the land in the market meanwhile the native owners have not been paid completely, so what they do is to sell and out of the proceeds, they pay back the native owners. This means they are robbing the native owners! In some cases when the native owners are aware, they fall back to their land.Because you cannot use their wealth to create wealth for yourself. That is part of land dispute and conflict, especially in the native locations.
“We are insisting that anybody that is doing large purchase of land in terms of sight and service should do the necessary things: buy the land from the natives, apply C of O, get certificate of occupancy duly registered. Then you can now sell to the general public.”
He advised the public not to purchase land property without a Title.
Nwala, however, said the ministry will work with the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and come up with a Land Administration Policy to the state House of Assembly for approval.
He said, this, when approved, will pave way for a smooth relationship with the ministry and the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
On his part, Chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Rivers State Branch, Hamilton Odom, said the Institution has set up a land conflict committee to tackle the rising land conflict issues in the state.
He said the need for a proper land administration policy cannot be over emphasized as this will reduce the rising cases of land conflict in the state.
Other activities to mark the end of year activities of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers included, charity walk on Friday from Rumuokwuta Girls Secondary School by 9am; Dinner/Inauguration of new Executives on Saturday, December 5, and a thanksgiving mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, Off 19 Nvuigwe Road, Woji, on Decmber 6, 2020.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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