The Delta State Government after its State Executive Council (Exco) meeting on Tuesday has resolved to revoke the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of Industrialists who acquired land at the Asaba Industrial Estate but are yet to be utilized for the purpose they were acquired.
The State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, who made this known to newsmen in Asaba, said that the approval of the status support on the Asaba Industrial Estate was given by the council; adding that in approving, the council examined the status of land that had been allocated to a number of industrialists previously.
According to him, the essence of the status support is to ensure that the allocations fall in line with the government’s desire to have a functional industrial estate.
Mr. Charles also pointed out that those who may have decided to deploy some of the land allocated to them to other uses will now realise that they have to use it (the land) for the proper purpose for which the land was allocated them.
He, therefore, stated that such people (allottees) would have to come forward for revalidation.
The Commissioner for Information further maintained that those who have decided not to do anything at all on the land allotted to them would have their C of O revoked by the state government.
“Today, Exco approved a number of projects that would further transform our communities and then advance our urban renewal drive as well as link our communities to one another.
His words, “all these projects are still very much in line with our five-point agenda and of course, you do know that these agenda are inter-related whether in the area of strategic wealth creation or the area of the transformed environment through urban renewal or of course in the area of building peace and creating harmony.
“So, in continuation of that agenda, we have approved a number of projects today. The first thing we carried out is the approval of the status support on the Asaba Industrial Estate.
“In this status support, we were able to examine the status of land that has been allocated to a number of industrialists before now.
“The essence is to make those allocations fall in terms with our desire to have a functional industrial estate and that those who may have decided to deploy some of the land allocated to them will now realise that they have to use it (the land) for the proper purpose.
“Because of that, we have said they just have come forward for the purpose of revalidation and those who have decided not to do anything at all, as a government, we have also made it clear that we are not going to hesitate to revoke their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O),” he added.
It would be recalled that barely a month ago, the state government gave two months ultimatum to those who had acquired land in urban areas of the state without developing them, would lose such.
According to Aniagwu who made the disclosure then, any parcel of land acquired beyond two years period without being developed by the owner, the C of O would be revoked and the land would be given to another person that is ready and willing to develop such in line with the government’s plan.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the state government’s policy in this regard as most citizens have blamed the incumbent administration led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for not wearing human face in its policies despite being aware that the harsh economy has negatively impacted citizens sources of income.
