By Ayomide Otitoju
The Anambra State Government has constituted a high-powered committee to recover government-owned lands that have been illegally occupied, encroached upon or misused across the state.
The decision was taken at the 25th meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), held at the Government House, Awka, as part of efforts by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to strengthen land administration, protect public assets and enhance internally generated revenue.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the committee was mandated to identify, recover and repossess all government lands unlawfully taken over by individuals or organisations.
“The government will not tolerate further encroachment on its lands and will take all necessary steps to protect its assets,” Mefor said.
He noted that the committee would work in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as security agencies and other stakeholders, to ensure effective enforcement.
According to him, the committee’s responsibilities include conducting a comprehensive audit of government lands in Anambra State, identifying and verifying those that have been encroached upon or misused, removing illegal occupants and structures with the support of security agencies, ensuring recovered lands are utilised for public benefit, and recommending measures to prevent future encroachments.
The state government also called on residents to support the initiative by providing useful information on illegal activities involving government lands to the appropriate authorities.
Mefor said the committee is expected to diligently discharge its mandate to ensure that recovered lands are deployed to advance the state’s development objectives.
