With focus on Ministry of Land:
We will continue to grow stronger and in the coming years, we will become even better.
The first year was spent addressing fundamental issues.
Our second year will be a journey to build a smart mega city and consolidation process.
We will continue to focus on the solution agenda’s five pillars.
We are determined to deliver on everything we promised in our manifesto.
Our vision is for Anambra to become a new axis of prosperity – Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
Like I said earlier in my part 2 of this piece, Governor Soludo is touching all sectors of governance in Anambra State.
The first thing he did at Ministry of Land is ensuring that a thoroughbred professional emerged as their Commissioner.
If you go to Ministry of Lands today, you will see with your two eyes that Governor Soludo made a good choice with regards to the appointment of the current Commissioner for Lands in the person of Prof Ofornze Amucheazi (SAN).
The Commissioner for Lands effected a lot of transformation in that Ministry to the extent that the words on the lips of Staff of that Ministry as at today is that they have never had it so good.
The Commissioner prioritised workers welfare and ensured that he made the Ministry staffs work environment to be conducive for the work they are doing.
Almost all the buildings in Ministry of Lands have been renovated, those remaining are undergoing renovation.
If you want to know why the current Commissioner for Lands won the award of the best Commissioner in this present administration, pay a visit to Ministry of Lands to see things for yourself.
It is no longer business as usual when it comes to land issues in Anambra because Governor Soludo has obviously tightened the noose on land grabbers and racketerers.
He also made it easier for those that want to acquire land in Anambra to be abe to do that and legitimate land owners have nothing to worry about because of the reforms that were implemented in the Ministry of Lands.
Below are the I year achievements of the Governor in Ministry of Lands.
1) Establishment of smart city in the State.
In fulfillment of Governor Soludo manifesto, the Ministry acquired about 250 hectares of land in various parts of the State for the development of a Smart City project and World Class real estates. The Ministry in conjunction with Anambra State investment promotion and protection Agency (ANSIPPA)has handed over the project Lands to the developers.
2) Provision of GIS facility in the Ministry.
To achieve Governor Soludo desire of amongst others, obtaining CofOs within 3 days , the Governor approved the award of contract for the provision of GIS services in the Ministry. The contractor commenced work in January 2023 and it is expected that the work be concluded within 18months. The contractor has also commenced workshops and training for staff in the Ministry.
What this means is that in no distant time, if you apply for CofO, you will get within 3days under Governor Soludo administration.
3) improved service delivery (improved service delivery timeline as well as implementation of Fast Track Registration of Titles, Estates, Mortgages and Processing of Certificate of Occupancy.
The Ministry of Lands introduced delivery timelines that have improved service delivery in the registration of Mortgages, Certificate of Occupancy , ETC by more than 80% in this regard, the Ministry has processed about 361 CofOs since April 2022.
4) Constitution of Awka Capital Territory Land Recovery Committee.
The Ministry Lands in conjunction with ACTDA constituted the Awka Capital Territory Land Recovery Committee to amongst others identify all State owned Lands and properties that are currently in the possession/custody of private individuals and recommend to the State government the best procedure to be adopted in recovering the said Lands and properties.
5) Constitution of Anambra State Land Reform Committee.
The Anambra State land Reform Committee was inaugurated by Governor Soludo on 19th May 2022 to amongst other things review the procedures, parameters and purposes for Land acquisition, allocation and revocation in the State from 1st January 2018 till date. The committee has completed its assignment and the white paper has been released by the government.
6) Establishment of a committee to explore out of Court settlement on Land disputes involving the State.
The Ministry of Lands in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice established a Committee comprising of representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Justice, Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, Special Adviser on Legal Matters.
7) Acquisition of 53 hectares of land at Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area for the development of an Export Emporium and shopping Mall.
The Ministry of Lands in fulfillment of Governor Soludo manifesto has successfully negotiated the acquisition of about 53 hectares of Land at Ukpo , Dunukofia Local Government Area for the development of an Export Emporium and the largest shopping mall in Africa.
Having gone through the above achievements of Governor Soludo in Ministry of Lands, you will concur with me that he is truly touching all sectors of governance in our beloved State.
Let’s support him to do more.
Evang Chinedu Obigwe
