Kogi State Government has taken steps to ease the processes of Land Administration in the State to stamp out land racketeering.
The Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Urban Development, Hon. Nazir Yusuf Ochi (CNA) who disclosed this while welcoming the Kogi State Information and Communication Commissioner, Hon Kingsley Fanwo in his office in Lokoja, commended the commissioner for his notable contributions to the good governance in the State.
He said among the steps taken so far was the revalidation of Certificate of Occupancy, presently going in the State.
He assured the people of the State of the readiness of the Bureau to carry the people land through constant sensitisation and enlightenment.
The Director-General appreciated the Commissioner for giving the Bureau such a wonderful platform of opportunities to thrive on and assured him that it will be used to effectively project, sensitize and create awareness to the public domain about all the programs and activities of the Bureau
He noted that one of the set backs experienced by the agency in rolling out its programs is as a result of the high cost involved compared to the available resources.
He added that with an opportunity such as the free platforms being yield to the Bureau, the issue of publicity has been resolved.
Earlier the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Evang. Kinsley Fanwo stated that the visit is necessitated as a point of duty noting that the Governor Yahaya Bello led administration is committed to efficient land administration in Kogi State which is why he brought an efficient, young and a dynamic person to manage the affairs of the Bureau.
Evang. Fanwo added that land administration is one of the key areas the present administration is looking closely at to harness, so as to wriggle out of the economic hardship melted on the state of affairs by the global pandemic.
According to the Commissioner, the Bureau of Lands and Urban Development is one of the avenues of ensuring quick wins describing land as “one of the low hanging fruits that can be plucked to rescue the state from economic situations”.
He further stated that this administration is favourably working best on how to effectively cut cost, ensure maximum productivity to generate more revenue.
In view of the above, Hon. Fanwo stated that” His Excellency gave a marching order to the Ministry of Information and Communications to ensure that issues bordering on land and the Bureau are given a lot of publicity; so that the people can benefit from what is happening here and equally give room to the bureau to take explicit advantage of the streams of media platforms, to project their activities through interactive forums”.
The Commissioner stressed that Radio Kogi and The Graphic newspaper have wide coverages, with the added advantage of e-graphic, pointing out that partnership with the two organisations and the state printing press would surely bring economic prosperity and a paradigm shift to the way things are being done in the state.
He commended the Director-General for his initiatives and reforms at the Bureau; while also lauding the management for their support towards the success of the agency.
The permanent Secretary, Mr. Ayegba O.A Alhassan while giving his votes of thanks expressed his profound gratitude and assured the Commissioner and his entourage that the golden opportunity being given out to the Bureau of lands will be put to maximum use.
