…Gov Clears 25 Years’ Compensation for Ebonyi State University Land
By Abraham Ovuoba
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr. Matthew Nwaobashi, has disclosed that the state government now processes and issues Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and other land documents within two weeks.
Speaking on the achievements of the ministry as the state marks the third anniversary of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration, Dr. Nwaobashi attributed the improved service delivery to ongoing reforms, including automation and digitalisation of land administration.
“We are celebrating a lot in this ministry. On the resumption of office, we were able to fix our land automation system, which had been in bad shape for decades. That was our first major achievement,” he said.
While describing the reforms introduced by the present administration led by Gov Nwifuru, the commissioner said the e ministry has commenced the process of full digitalisation of its operations.
“We have completed the digital archiving of all documents and are now getting prepared for full digitalisation,” he stated.
The commissioner also disclosed that the government had ensured adequate compensation for all lands acquired during the current administration.
“All the land we acquired during our administration, we have paid compensation adequately. In terms of compensation, we have done what had not been done by previous administrations in the state,” he said.
“We cleared the 25 years’ compensation for the land where Ebonyi State University is now located. We paid it completely” stated Dr. Nwaobashi
He maintained that the state had recorded significant progress in land administration and management.
“We have done a lot as far as land administration is concerned in Ebonyi State,” he added.
Comparing Ebonyi with other states in the South-East, the commissioner said the state had distinguished itself in land acquisition and management.
“I am proud to say that we have a very robust land management system in terms of acquisition. We are not involved in arbitrary land grabbing, even as a government. We follow due process in our land acquisition, and that is why there are no problems with any land we have acquired,” he said.
Dr. Nwaobashi further described Ebonyi as the leading state in the region in terms of land administration.
“I am also proud to say that Ebonyi is the best in the South-East. In terms of process, it is seamless,” he declared.
Highlighting the reforms introduced by the ministry, he said applicants now obtain land documents within a short period.
“Since we came on board, it takes just one week to obtain government land documents, including Certificates of Occupancy where applicable, while private land documentation takes less than two weeks. Those are the innovations we introduced in the state, and they are very peculiar to this administration,” Nwaobashi said.
