By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom state government has commenced the provision of services in its owned estates located in different parts of the state.
The state commissioner for lands and water resources, Capt. Iniobong Ekong(Rtd) who gave the hint in a statement issued in Uyo yesterday stated that the measures were taken to encourage plot owners to commence immediate development of their plots.
According to the statement, services being provided include opening of internal roads and mounting of electric poles within the estates as well as fencing and water reticulation in some of the estates.
Ekong urged plot owners to reciprocate government gesture by taking advantage of the move to commence building activities as soon as possible.
The estates according to him include, Government Residential Estate, Nung Ette, Iba Oku, Ikot Oduot and Nung Oku in Ibesikpo Asutan Council, Commercial Estate, Atan Offot and Employment Centre/Light industries.
The Ministry however warned allottees that failure to commence developement of the plots within six months would lead to the revocation of allocation earlier as contained in the letters of allocation
In a related development, the ministry of lands and water resources has warned persons involved in illegal acquisition of land to desist or risk punitive measures, as the state government has began moves to check the menace of land grabbing in the state.
The commissioner, Iniobong Ekong disclosed in Uyo when he paid a courtesy visit on the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Amiengheme Andrew at the state police headquarter and the state director of state services department.
He mentioned that the visits were part of the ministry’s mandate in ensuring zero tolerance to illegal land grabbing and other crimes related to land and water.
Stressing the importance of land to the development of any society, the commissioner underscored the essence of the visits which he said was to seek partnership with the security agencies in tackling the menace of land marauders.
