The Enugu State Government has established an Inter-ministerial Committee for property/land reconciliation and compensation, inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, in Enugu. During the inauguration ceremony held yesterday, the SSG urged committee members, chaired by himself, to carry out their responsibilities with diligence.
The committee comprises key officials such as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, and Mr. Gerald Otiji, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. Other members include Mr. Uchenna Nwatu, Mr. Justus Chime (Acting Surveyor-General of the state), and Mr. Juliet Okonkwo, who will serve as the committee’s secretary.
Prof. Onyia emphasized the committee’s role in verifying documents related to land and properties in designated construction areas, emphasizing the importance of checking constitutionally approved documents. He tasked the committee with addressing issues of double allocation, conducting thorough verifications of all allocations and payments, resolving land acquisition matters, recommending compensation amounts, and ensuring compensation is rightfully distributed.
In response, the Commissioner for Justice expressed gratitude on behalf of the committee members, acknowledging the state government’s initiative in establishing the committee to handle land and property-related issues.
“This government has a human face in whatever it does. We know, we are about to embark on massive infrastructural development from the city to the nooks and crannies of the state.
“And of course, we know that the infrastructural development will from time to time affect the status quo where people live and how people live.
“And we know that when they are affected, there should be mechanism in place to cushion the adverse effect of this development,’’ Udeh said.
He pledged that the committee would discharge its responsibilities creditably to ensure that no one was left behind and free the state from unnecessary litigations.
