Enugu commissioner denies land grabbing allegation

Victor Nnam, commissioner for land and urban development in Enugu state, has denied the land grabbing allegation levelled against him by Private Estates International West Africa Limited.

The company had accused him of revoking some of its lands illegally.

In a statement, Nnam said the matter was beyond controversy, contrary to what he said was being portrayed by the company.

According to the commissioner, Private Estates International West Africa Limited breached the improvements premium charge as contained in conditions of the revoked title preceding the issuance of certificate of occupancy.

“The substantive matter is the revocation of 1,097 hectares of land at Obeagu/Amechi Awkunanaw covered by building Certificate of Occupancy registered as 20/20/1622 and issued to Private Estates International West Africa Limited by Enugu State Government, which was said to have been done without due process,” he said.

“However, ten years after the Certificate of Occupancy was issued, the Enugu State Government observed that the development partnership between Private Estates International West Africa Limited and the State Government was neither presented nor approved by the State Executive Council and no yellow paper was issued to approve a project of such magnitude.

“The Enugu state government also notes that although the company has transacted profitably on the land from 2009 till date, it has not made any payment to government as proceed or compensation. The Certificate of Occupancy also bears private survey plan number that is not attributable to Enugu State Survey delineation numbers.

“In addition, the development control unit of the state has observed that the development so far carried out on the property is not in accordance with government-approved layout plan while the Ministry of Lands observed with dismay that members of the host community (Amechi and Obeagu) are residing on the land in question and claim no compensation has been paid to them.

“A revoke notice was served on the company and there was no response. Consequently, the Certificate of Occupancy was revoked by the state government in order to resolve the issues surrounding the land in question.

Private Estates International West Africa Limited has gone to court to challenge the legitimacy of the revocation, but the court has advised the feuding parties, including the host community, to settle amicably.