Anambra Begins Revocation Of Undeveloped Properties In Designated Estates

The Anambra State Government has commenced the revocation of ownership of undeveloped landed properties in designated housing estates across the state.

The managing director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr Ossy Onuko, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with journalists during an enforcement exercise at the Awka Millennium City Estate, Agu-Awka.

Onuko said the estate, described as a modern development, was a key part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision to create a new Awka city in line with his goal of making Anambra a “green and liveable homeland.”

According to him, the enforcement exercise was aimed at compelling property owners to commence development on their allocated plots in order to transform the estate into a functional and vibrant residential area as promised by the state government.

“This exercise is part of the agency’s ongoing ‘Operation Keep Awka Clean’, which seeks to ensure proper urban planning and promote active development across the capital territory,” Onuko said.

He explained that many developers acquired government-owned lands with the understanding that development would commence within three years, but have failed to meet that requirement.

“Many developers had acquired government lands with the expectation of developing them within three years, but have not yet commenced construction,” he stated.

Onuko added that ACTDA was determined to curb land speculation and ensure that allocated lands were used for their intended purposes.

“ACTDA is committed to stopping land speculation and ensuring that all allocated lands serve their intended purpose for the benefit of residents,” he said.

He further disclosed that the agency was collaborating with the Anambra State Ministry of Lands to enforce development standards.

“The agency is working closely with the Anambra State Ministry of Lands to enforce development standards, revoke undeveloped plots when necessary and reassign them to developers who are ready to build within the stipulated period. That is why we are on this exercise today,” Onuko added.

Also speaking, the head of the Development Control Unit of ACTDA, Mr Charles Ekwunife, expressed disappointment over the slow pace of development at the estate, noting that it was designed to be a flagship project for Awka.

Ekwunife explained that all land allocations are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the Awka Millennium City Estate, which requires the estate to attain an appreciable level of development within the first three years.

He stressed that failure to comply with the agreed terms would attract enforcement actions, including revocation of ownership.