Edith CHUKU
In a major step toward ending land grabbing and fraudulent land sales in Rivers State, the Alesa community in Eleme Local Government Area, has inaugurated its Alesa Land Development Committee ALDEC.
The committee was inaugurated by Alesa Paramount Ruler, Emperor JD Mkpe as a model for a broader community land development system proposed across the state.
ALDEC was inaugurated as an interventionist group to curb the rising wave of land-related fraud, violent takeovers, and unregulated land transactions plaguing the state.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, is expected to regulate all land sales, resolve disputes, and ensure transparency and safety for land buyers and investors.
Rivers has in recent years been overwhelmed by land grabbers who often operate with armed groups and, in some cases, backing from corrupt security operatives. Alesa, home to the Port Harcourt Refineries and several major investment interests, has been a target.
Inaugurating the committee, the paramount ruler said, “Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.”
Mkpe expressed worry that bad land practices have created a lot of problems in their community, noting that, “that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
“We do not want anyone to drag the name of this community to the mud. By what we have now done, Alesa has emerged as a place where you can come and invest. Our hands and doors are open. Let no one deceive you because your hard earned money must be protected.
“We are also seizing this opportunity to encourage investors and businesses to feel free to come and invest in Alesa. We have many investors already showing interest and some are already here, who are interested in investing here. We will not allow them to invest their money where it will be wasted. To those buying lands without due diligence, we advise them to please henceforth desist from buying land from anyone.
“The question of cutting corners to buy lands is totally canceled in this community because we want to protect investors’ funds. This is because some of the investors borrowed huge sums but at the end, the land they bought is a one.”
Mkpe revealed that the community was also partnering with the state government on the project. He said this is so that, “those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We are also integrating our tradition so that if you deviate from what you are asked to do, you are the one that will bear the consequences. There is no body that is as old as what (staff) I am holding in my hand here.
“So, every child, woman, or man who will go to steal someone’s land to sell, if you are caught, you will be dealt with. We will hand you over to the government. We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers.”
The paramount ruler further warned, “those wishing to go to Alesa as land grabbers, please do not come near this community because if we catch you, we will show you the way out. So that is the reason we are here today so that anybody who is buying land here should come and identify with us so your money can be safe.
“Thirdly, we will not want anyone to sell land again. We know the designated areas for government. Anyone that dares go close to the government land is doing so on his own. And that is the reason why this body is also standing gallantly and strongly to protect government lands and other forms of property. They will help to identify areas belonging to the government.”
He also encourage investors to buy and develop within five years or forfeit the land to the state government. “We have lands that people bought when nobody here today was born. Today, those landowners are having problems. If they had bought those lands through this office that period of time, maybe their money and land would be protected. Any land that is bought here, we have your drawing and plan in the office so that even if you are no more, your land will be protected for your children. By this arrangement in place now, nobody will go back to sell your land in your absence.
On his part, the ALDEC committee chairman pledged to work in harmony with the Alesa council of chiefs to achieve the purpose for the establishment of the committee.
In their responses, a woman leader, Blessing Wuwu, a former councilor-Humphrey Dada Obele, stated their support for the land development committee initiative.
Mayor of Housing, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud. He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in the state and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to bring an end to land grabbing.
