The Ebonyi State Government has warned individuals illegally occupying lands belonging to Development Centres and other government-owned properties to vacate immediately or face legal action.
The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Matthew Nwobasi, issued the warning during an interactive meeting with the 64 Development Centre Coordinators at the Ministry’s office in Centenary City, Abakaliki.
Nwobasi expressed concern over the increasing cases of encroachment on public lands, reiterating the state government’s zero-tolerance stance against land grabbing and other forms of illegal occupation of government property.
He reminded the coordinators that Development Centres were established by state law as independent administrative units and are not under the control of Local Government Councils.
The Commissioner further clarified that at the end of their tenure, Development Centre Coordinators are required to hand over the administration of the centres to their duly appointed successors, and not to Local Government Chairmen, except where expressly directed by the State Government.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ebonyi State Government to protecting public assets and warned that anyone found encroaching on government-owned land would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
