Kogi Bureau of lands, Urban Development launches verification exercise to identify, document land properties in state
….as DG warns citizens against purchase of land through Illegal Sales
….promise digitisation of process, improved master plan in earnest.
Worried by the incessant land grabbing that have become increasing in recent times as well as illegal transactions involving landed properties across the state, the newly appointed Kogi state Director-General bureau of Lands and Urban Development, Hon. Samari Abdulmalik Teina has issued a public warning against the sale of landed properties within the state.
The DG made this known in an exclusive press briefing with journalist in his office on Tuesday where he hinted that as part of its efforts to address this issue, the Bureau was launching a verification exercise to identify and document all landed properties within the state. He added that during the short period of the verification, selling of lands across the state would be on hold.
The DG also hinted on the bureau was making succinct plans to digitise the process of acquiring and documenting land documents across the state in earnest, which he noted would ensure long lasting documentation and eradicate issues of land grabbing and incessant disputes over land ownership.
He added that the Bureau planned to improve on the master plan of the state as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS) to make sure that proper search is conducted for adequate verification before purchase is made by intending buyers while subsequently all previous transaction would be reviewed online.
He said ‘’The Bureau understands the importance of land to the people of Kogi State and recognises the need for clear and transparent documentation of land transactions, hence we are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that all land transactions are properly documented and in compliance with the law’’.
Hon. Teina affirmed that the bureau under his leadership would not tolerate any form of land grabbing or illegal transactions, and would take appropriate action against anyone found engaging in such activities.
He mentioned that the Bureau would work closely with local government authorities, traditional rulers, and community leaders to ensure that the verification exercise is carried out in an orderly and transparent manner while urging all property owners to cooperate with the bureau during this process and to provide all relevant documentation.
‘’The Bureau will also be setting up a special hotline for members of the public to report any suspicious or illegal activities related to land transactions. These officials will be trained to handle such reports professionally and confidentially and will take appropriate action to address any issues that are brought to their attention’’.
The DG thanked the people of Kogi State for their cooperation and patience as we work to address these issues and expressed the believe that by working together, a more secured and transparent environment for land transactions in Kogi State would be created.
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