The Imo State Government has launched a crackdown on developers who are acquiring lands and erecting structures without proper approvals. This decisive action follows numerous complaints from the public about unauthorized land acquisitions and constructions carried out under the pretense of state government endorsement.
Chukwunyere Amaechi, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Imo State Geographic Information Service (IGIS), issued a stern warning to the public and developers, urging them to demand copies of approved private layout plans from developers or report any suspicious activities to IGIS through its customer service line at 0809816381.
Amaechi highlighted that several companies and organizations have been illegally partitioning and selling plots of land within estates in areas such as Ngor Okpala/Airport Road, Obinze/Army Barracks/Umuokanne/Oforola, and Mgbirichi/Umuapu, without obtaining the necessary approvals from the state. “We have not issued any private layout planning approval to any organization or registered any estate development scheme in these areas,” Amaechi emphasized.
The IGIS DG further clarified that there are specific guidelines for obtaining private layout approvals in Imo State. Any developer or estate scheme that bypasses these legal requirements is not only acting unlawfully but also exposing investors and the general public to significant risks.
Amaechi also cautioned that anyone engaging in land transactions without verification from IGIS does so at their own peril. The agency is committed to upholding due process and ensuring that all property development activities within the state align with established planning laws and neighborhood development plans.
To enforce compliance, Amaechi disclosed that planning officers would soon visit the affected locations to ensure that all developments meet the required legal standards.
