Demolition: UNIUYO don writes Gov. Umo Eno; Wants his property restored
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
A Don in the University of Uyo, Prof. James Effiong has allegedly accused the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources for illegally demolishing and trespassing into his property located at the Government Residential Estate in Anua Offot/Ifa Ikot Okpon, Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area.
Prof. Effiong, made the allegation in Uyo at the weekend while briefing newsmen saying, his title to the property is not in doubt and called on Governor Umo Eno to prevail on the ministry to reconstruct his fences and restore his land to avoid rift.
He explained that, the property with all it’s particulars including; letter of administration were consigned to him by Mr. Edidiong John Bassey and Mr. Udeme John Bassey as consignors in a Deed of Assignment dated December 27, 2019, while the Consent Certificate was approved and signed by Governor Umo Eno on February 5, 2022, when he was Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources querring, the rationale behind the ministry and it’s agents to destroy his fences, as well as illegally selling off the greenery in the estate?
Prof. Effiong has threatened that, if the illegality is not redressed, he would be forced take a legal action against the ministry and it’s agents, who went on frolic exercise to demolish the perimeter fences and tampering with the land.
He also explained that, the property with allocation Plot No. 289, Block A, is on the precinct of a greenery within the estate, which is now being carved out as a private property by the ministry and sold to people against the estate’s master plan and environmental impact assessment.
According to him, “the property contains an area of approximately 1269.059 Square Meters as shown on Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria Survey Plan No. AK/U.175 (Tracing No. AKU 425 – A – 3) and the boundaries described in the Uyo cadastral survey, was signed by the immediate past Surveyor General now, Permanent Secretary, Surv. (Mrs) Emem Isang on October 25, 2017.
“The property has a Re – Allocation Letter, Certificate of Occupancy with No. UY/5471/2018, Deed of Assignment and Consent Certificates signed by Governor Umo Eno, as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources when he was Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, quoted inter alia that; “as required under Section 22 of the Land Use Act 1978 and by virtue of powers delegated to me under the Land Use (Delegation of Powers) instrument 2022, I hereby give my consent to the transaction herein under contained”.
Meanwhile, Village heads and Youth leaders of host communities of the estate when contacted have disasociated themselves from the on -going destruction of people’s properties in the estate urging government to the illegal activities orchestrated by the Land Verification Committee of the ministry.
This reporter learned, land agents said to be working for the ministry of Lands and Water Resources in the guise of “Land Verification Committee” have been going round the estate demarcating and illegally selling off the greenery in the estate to unsuspecting buyers, thereby trespassing other people’s lands and properties.
In a letter dated October 13, 2023 addressed to the Commissioner through the Permanent Secretary by Prof. James E. Effiong titled, “Request for Reconstruction of Fences at Plot 289, Block A, Government Residential Estate, Anua Offot, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area, requesting the ministry to reconstruct the demolished perimeter fences on his property in the estate said, the Commissioner never responded to the letter nor directed his agents to act on his behalf.
He however queried that, since the land was re-allocated to him, he was never served with a revocation letter by the state government.
But Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Capt. Iniobong Ekong has disasociated the ministry from the demolition and trespasses saying that, those seeking to buy land in Uyo should pass through lawyers to assist them in buying genuine landed properties to avoid falling victims to land speculators.
He said, “The truth is that, if anyone is interested in purchase of land anywhere in the state, all you need to do is to secure the services of a lawyer who is armed with the information you need, after that, you approach the land department to do what we called legal search. It costs little to nothing compared to the cost of land; it costs about N8 000 to N20, 000 in the maximum.
“When a lawyer conducts a legal search, he gives what is called search report and puts a seal on that report which makes it true and you can also hold the lawyer liable in case anything happens to your right of purchase.
That is the process and so, the first thing I want this interface to tell our people is; please secure the secure a qualified lawyer to conduct search for you for any land you want to buy in Uyo capital City.
“There is nothing like Community land in Uyo Capital City, all these things are creation of fraudsters and land grabbers to perpetuate their trade and hoodwink innocent people to things that are wrong.
“Unfortunately, the direction of the previous administration was not tailored towards correcting but for the length of time I am going to be here, we will address these issues squarely and ensure that legality is restored as a form of living for our people. I will not sit as a commissioner for Lands and watch people fritter away their hard earned resources into the hands of land grabbers and fraudsters, we have begun to repossess these plots, especially the area covered by Anua Ifa, Ikot Okpon, Etoi. That is why we have block A, B, C, D,E, F, G, H even up to J”, the Commissioner stated.
