Plateau state government has intensified efforts towards addressing the incessant encroachment of lands owned by state government and public institutions
Our correspondent reports that the state high-powered committee on land administration led by it’s chairman barrister isaac dimka yesterday launched a tour to address critical land issues in line with their terms of reference commencing with barkin ladi and mangu local government areas.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility of investigating the circumstances surrounding the acquisition and allocation of land within the jos-bukuru greater master plan , addressing issues of illegal development in government estates, lands, and setbacks as well as ascertaining the authenticity of land/property acquired based on overriding public interest and identifying beneficiaries of such allocations.
They are also to investigate the demarcation, allocation, and sales of land within government reserve areas across the state as well examine the annexation of mining sites/quarters across the state and also investigating issues of land revocation, double allocation, and land grabbing amongst other.
The chairman committee on lands bar Dimka who spoke at the plateau state polytechnic, where they were received by the deputy rector who represented the rector of the institution stressed the urgent need to tackle land encroachment to avert future problems.
He said the tour was in furtherance to the written submissions and petitions it received and interactions with relevant stakeholders, hence it became imperative to go round and verify those claims.
The deputy rector mr. Mathias mandong took the committee members round the areas encroached upon.
He also told the committee that the institution has faced several challenges including kidnappings of staff due to the lack of parameter fencing around the polytechnic.
The commitee chairman assured the institution that they would make appropriate recommendations to government considering the importance of the institution as a citadel of learning.
In mangu local government council of the state the transition commitee chairman markus artu , emphasized the crucial role of local governments in mediating land disputes assuring the committee of his full support.
The committee also paid a visit to the the palace of the mishkam mwaghavul palace da john putmang hirse.