Land Racketeering: Bayelsa takes over land allocation, inaugurates committee

Gov. Seriake Dickson on Thursday inaugurated a 10-member Land Use and Allocation Committee to check sharp practices associated with land administration in Bayelsa.

The governor said that henceforth, government would be responsible for the provision and sale of land to members of the public for private, commercial and industrial purposes.

The Committee has as its Chairman, Mr. Joseph Akedesuo, with Mr. Moses Teibowei as Secretary, while the Surveyor General of the state, Surv. Moses Gede is a member.

Also, the Managing Director of Bayelsa Geographic Information System, Mr. Igo Goin is to serve as member.

Other members are, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, Barr. Osom Mcbere, Chief Amos Poubenafa, Mr. Dan Omubo Dede, Mr. Emmanuel Ebua and Suoyomiete Ezekiel.

The governor said the move was to check the prevalence of land racketeering and unplanned development of the state, especially the Yenagoa metropolis. 

 Dickson described the committee as a special standing body, put in place to advise the government on the use and management of public land, in line with the Land Use Act of the federation.

The governor directed the committee to commence the immediate allocation and sale of plots of land in the first phase of the Government Reserved Area (GRA).

He said the GRA lands were ready for sale as the government has already completed the survey and planning of the area. 

The governor called on Bayelsa people and members of the public to avail themselves of the opportunity the government was offering them through the provision of planned estates and issuance of title documents.

He noted that, plans are underway to acquire land at Agbura and other parts to open up the state.

 “I expect you to start right away, the allocation of plots for our first planned GRA development in this state, without further delay.

“We have already finished survey and planning and we have called on interested Bayelsa people to buy the forms. 

 “You will liaise with the Ministry of Lands and Survey to know the decisions of government as to the pricing of this public land and then we expect you, in no distant time to begin the actual allocation and sale of these plots. 

“Our plan is that, as we finish the allocation of the GRA, which is the first planned phase one for our development, will open up other phases.

“If you want to buy land in Bayelsa, moving forward from now, go to the Ministry of Lands and Survey, Land Allocation Committee and the Bayelsa Geographic Information System (BGIS) and inquire.

“And we will always have government land to sell to you.” Dickson said.

In his response, Akedesuo expressed appreciation to the governor  for the confidence reposed in them and assured that, the committee would translate the governor’s vision of developing a well-planned city to reality.