By George George Idowu
The Kogi State Bureau of Land and Urban Development has issued a stern warning to communities within a sixteen-kilometer radius of the state capital, urging them to refrain from allocating land without government authorization.
During a stakeholders meeting on land administration convened at the government house in Lokoja on Wednesday, the Director-General of the Bureau, Alhaji Samari Teina Abdulmalik, emphasized that the meeting aimed not to strip communities of their land but to clarify the Bureau’s exclusive authority over land allocation within the designated radius.
Abdulmalik underscored that sanctions would be imposed on those contravening the Land Use Act of the federal government and Kogi State Law, which mandates a sixteen-kilometer radius.
He assured that the government remained committed to compensating communities for any acquired land.
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“We are not appropriating land unjustly. Any land acquired by the government will be fairly compensated. Communities and stakeholders must cease unauthorized land allocation. Those in need of land should liaise with the Bureau for proper planning and development initiatives,” Abdulmalik affirmed.
In response, the Olu of Oworo, Alhaji Mohammed Adoga, deemed the meeting timely and urged the Bureau to address land disputes hindering development in communities.
Similarly, Oba Fedrick Durojaye, the Olu of Akpata-Oworo, emphasized the importance of land to communities and urged vigilant guardianship.
He appealed to the government to extend development projects to rural areas, including infrastructure such as access roads and electricity, essential for community progress.
“It’s imperative for communities to safeguard their land while welcoming government initiatives for sustainable development,” Oba Fedrick Durojaye emphasized.
