Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has pledged to recover into treasury over N1billon naira debt owe by some of the beneficiaries of Ekiti State housing estates before the expiration of his tenure in October, 2022.
Governor Fayemi who gave the pledge in Ado Ekiti while receiving the report of the judicial panel of inquiry on land and related matters expressed government commitment to reverse the impunity which characterized land administration in the State.
The Governor who was disturbed by the level of corruption, poor record keeping and lack of transparency in the allocation of lands, directed immediate constitution of inter ministerial committee to advice government on reform of agencies in charge of land administration.
He said government was aware of the large undeveloped lands and lack of record of ownership and evidence of payment for properties in the state housing estates.
Governor Fayemi directed the committee on recovery of money owed the state government to present a formal report on it to enable government take necessary action.
He said the commitment of his administration to eradicate unlawful land transaction was to achieve an effective land administration to enhance government’s efforts in achieving poverty reduction and promote economic growth.
“My administration is determined to reverse the impunity that has characterized land administration. As a first step, I accept the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry for a holistic reform of all the agencies responsible for land administration in this State
“I have directed the Secretary to the State Government to immediately constitute a ministerial committee with a mandate to advise government on practical steps towards achieving this goal.
“It is simply unacceptable that a sum of over one billion naira will be owed government by beneficiaries of these properties majority who have simply refused to pay. The Committee has been directed to ensure the full recovery of all monies owed. “
The Chairman of the judicial commission, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, revealed that a total of 43 petitions and memoranda were received in the course of its assignment.
Justice Adeleye stressed that the commission through the adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanism was able to determine the final right of the parties in twenty cases.
He said members of the commission also made an on the spot assessment to various locations to further authenticate the evidences presented by parties at the public sitting of the commission.
The Governor had in November 2020 set up a judicial panel of inquiry on land and related matters in response to the concerns of residents on increased cases of land grabbing and other fraudulent transactions in the state.
