BENUE GOVT INSISTS ON TRANSPARENCY ON LAND POLICIES

BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL REMAIN TRANSPARENT IN LAND ADMINISTRATION

Benue State Government has reiterated its commitment to remain transparent and just in land administration to avoid disputes and promote sustainable development in the State.

Governor Samuel Ortom stated this while interacting with the people of Mbakya-Ugondo Community of Makurdi Local Government Area of the State on plans to create a layout in the area to enhance development.

The Governor who was represented at the meeting by the State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Honourable Bernard Unenge says the layout will be planned in line with international best practices where access roads and other basic infrastructures will be considered.

He said a buffer zone to clearly show the various borders with other communities, green areas as well as protection of ancestral monuments will also be considered to avoid disputes.

The Governor's representative appealed to the indigenes of Makurdi and other areas in the state to always cooperate with land administrators for easy planning of layouts,maintaining that such places will be opened up for rapid development.

Honourable Unenge thanked the Mbakya-Ugondo people for their understanding and called on them to form a committee that will work with the government team in actualizing the project.

He added that the present administration of Governor Ortom will continue to impact on Benue people positively through its sustained development Agenda.

In his remarks, the Ter Makurdi and Chairman, Makurdi Traditional Council, Chief Sule Abenga said the Mbakya-Ugondo people are happy with the disposition of Government to create a layout in the area and called for Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed between Government and the Community.

He thanked his Kinsmen for their understanding and called on government to keep to its promise of provision of the necessary infrastructures in the proposed layout, adding that they should also be compensated.

Also speaking, the Dstrict Head of Ugondo, Chief Terseer Hwakar acknowledged the land administration friendly posture of Governor Ortom and thanked him for interacting with them through the Commissioner.

On his part,the President Mbakya Community Youth Development Association, Francis Tsehemba said the youths are happy to be carried along and assured they will cooperate with the government surveyors, town planners and others when the layout process commences.

Speaking in the same vein,Chairman Lands Administration Committee in the Ministry of Lands,Survey and Solid Minerals who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations, Honourable Samuel Ude applauded the Mbakya-Ugondo Community for their unanimous decision for accepting the government development plan, adding that the terms and conditions of the MOU will be adhered to.

Others also Prominent on the government delegation were the; Surveyor General, Surveyor Peter Oinu, Director of Lands, Estate Surveyor Iniongon Joseph, Director of Admin and Supply, Mrs Anongo Terna, Technical Adviser to the Honourable Commissioner,TPL Felix Azemba and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Land Matters, Mr Ubandoma Dauda.

Work on the layout is expected to commence immediately after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU).

By Jacob Shom
Media Coordinator to the Honourable Commissioner
for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals.