Imo State Government has described as untrue the news making the rounds that the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, inaugurated a Land Recovery Committee.
According to a release signed by Ononuju which was available to Daily Nigerian Horn, the fact is that the Ministry in its name, is the holder of statutory Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) over an expanse of land granted by the Imo State Government for the establishment of Artisans Market in Owerri Capital Territory saying the purpose of the
permanent site for artisans was to have their services in one place and rid the city of the proliferation of artisans everywhere.
The release further stated that during the administrations of Rochas Okorocha and Emeka Ihedioha respectively, certain persons connected sought to forcefully and illegally occupy the land and indeed converted some portions to residential plots stressing that the leadership of the Artisans Union and other whistleblowers petitioned the Commissioner on the need to recover the particular land and put it to the purpose which the state government designed ab initio.
“The attention of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been drawn to a news reportage on the above matter which depicted the fake news that the Honourable Commissioner , Ministry of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated a land Recovery Committee in Imo State.
THIS IS NOT TRUE
“The fact is that the Ministry in its name, is the holder of statutory Certificate of Occupancy (C-of O) over an expanse of land granted by the Imo State Government for the establishment of Artisans Market in Owerri Capital Territory.
That the purpose of this permanent site for artisans was to have their services in one place and rid the city of the proliferation of artisans everywhere.
“That however, during the Okorocha administration and illegal administration of Ihedioha, persons connected sought to forcefully and illegally occupy the land and indeed convert portions therein to residential plots.
That the leadership of the Artisans Union and other whistle blowers petitioned the Hon. Commissioner on the need to recover this particular land and put it to the purpose, which Imo Government desired ab initio.
“That following positive due diligence, at the Ministry of Lands on the status of the statutory Certificate of Occupancy and on the spot investigation by the team of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with stakeholders, it became imperative to recover the said land for its intended public use.
“That the Ministry of Commerce and Industry consequently inaugurated a domestic committee headed by the Hon Commissioner, Barr Kingsley Ononuju, with a nominee of the Artisans Union, Chief Chris Anele, as deputy Chairman and
other representatives of stakeholders to investigate and present a report to the Ministry for onward transmission to His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State. The Committee has a 2-week time line.
“It is clear from the above clarifications, that it is odious, mischievous and unacceptable for opponents of the God – ordained Uzodimma administration and social media activists, probably sponsored by those affected land grabbers to misrepresent the fact of the matter, since the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, cannot set up a land Recovery Committee in IMO state. “This clarification is necessary to correct the misrepresentation and highlight the intention of the ministry in this regard.
NIGERIAN HORN
