JUST IN: OKOWA CONCLUDES PLANS TO DEAL WITH OVER 2,000 DELTANS

There is a strong indication that the Delta State Government, led by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa may have concluded plans to decisively deal with over 2,190 residents of the State who own land in the contentious area codenamed Core Area 2 in Okpanam town, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

This follows fresh facts that  the State Government has ruled out the possibility of considering a downward review of the cost of regularizing portions of land in the contentious Core Area 2, maintaining that the cost of the exercise still remains at N750,000.

The State Government said having graciously approved a downward review of the regularization exercise from the initial price of N1,500,000 to N1,050,000 and later to N750,000, it will not give a nod to a further slash in the cost of the exercise as requested by the affected land and property owners in the area penultimate Wednesday.

The State Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Chief Dan Okenyi, disclosed the decision of the State Government today during a press conference held in Asaba, the state capital.

Okenyi however disclosed that the deadline has been shifted from December 31, 2016 to January 31, 2017, warning that the State Government will be compelled to mete out necessary sanctions on defaulters.

See DELTA GOES TOUGH ON LAND ENCROACHMENT



Governor Ifeanyi Okowa 

Recall that the affected landlords had appealed for another downward review of the regularization cost to N300,000.

At a town hall meeting organized by the ministry of lands and survey in conjunction with the office of the Director General of Special Duties in the State, Chief Frank Omare, the over 2,190 land lords also appealed for a shift in the deadline from December 31, 2016 to a later date.

Okenyi had promised to convey their request to the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who, he said, wields the overriding power to grant such requests, assuring that he would get back to them after due consultations with stakeholders in charge of the portions of land located on the Agbor/Asaba and Asaba/Illah roads, including the ones in the contentious Core Area 2, Okpanam.

Director General of Special Duties in Delta State, Chief Frank Omare during an interview in Asaba. 

However, Okenyi said yesterday that the ministry had already considered all the reasons advanced by the landlords but found no valid ground upon which to predicate an approval of a further slash in the cost of the regularization exercise.

He said the State Government was, for the umpteenth time, only able to approve a further shift in the deadline from December 31, 2016 to January 31, 2017. The initial deadline was issued by Omare and exclusively reported by our correspondent.

Also read GOVT FINDS MISSING DOCUMENTS ON CORE AREA TWO

The Commissioner said: “The ministry has looked into all the reasons given and we are convinced beyond reasonable doubts that government has done enough having gone down to 50 per cent across all boards to bring the sum to N750,000.

“In the circumstances, I wish to inform all landlords and stakeholders that after all due consultations on the request for further discount and extension of the regularization deadline, the ministry has found no merit in the request and is sticking to the N750,000 minimum price.

“However, as a further sign of goodwill, we are extending the deadline from December 31 to January 31, 2017. But I want to warn that after January 31, whoever fails or refuses to regularize his title documents will have himself to blame as full implementation of sanctions will commence thereafter".

Delta State Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Chief Dan Okenyi (Middle), State Director of Information, Mr. Paul Osahon (Left) and others during the press conference held in Asaba. 

Although Okenyi was not specific on the State Government’s next line of action at the expiration of the new deadline, he appealed to all affected persons to do the needful by completing the regularization of their title documents, noting that the state government may have no choice than to decisively deal with any offender.

Reacting to the development, one of the affected landlords vowed that they are ready to bring the government to its knees through a legal action.

The source who does not want to named said residents of the Core Area 2 are peace loving, but will not hesitate to take reciprocal actions against the state government.

The author, Joshua Erubami, can be reached via 08065108405 or Erubami26@gmail.com