We’ve Criminalised Unauthorised Acquisition Of Govt Property – Otti

Abia State government has criminalised unauthorised acquisition and occupation of government property and strengthened legal frameworks for reclaiming its assets.

The state governor, Alex Otti, disclosed this during the May edition of his monthly media chat tagged, “Governor Otti Speaks To Abians” in Umuahia, the state capital last Friday.

Otti said, “We’ve intensified efforts to recover assets and properties belonging to the state government which were illegally acquired by individuals.”

He noted that while some individuals challenged the action in court, his administration remains committed to safeguarding public property.

“We’ ve also recovered a lot of stolen assets, especially from people who acquired them illegally. Some of them have challenged us in courts and we have met them there.”

He stressed the administration’s efforts at improving urban planning and land administration, particularly through the completion of the new Aba Master Plan.

His words: “The Aba Master plan initiative was developed in collaboration with international development partners and would soon be formally launched.”

Otti, who was marking his third anniversary further announced that the administration had also issued 4,077 Certificates of Occupancy within its three years in office.

The governor, therefore, described the development as a major step towards improving land administration and boosting investor confidence.