By Chimezie Ezeji
The Imo State Government has distanced itself from a purported list of released lands circulating online, describing the publication as fake, fraudulent and unauthorised.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, the government said the publication, allegedly released under the guise of a “Whitepaper Implementation Committee,” did not originate from the state government or any of its agencies.
The commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the document, warning that it was capable of misleading unsuspecting persons.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning completely disassociates itself from the publication, stressing that the list was neither approved nor issued by the Imo State Government.
Barr. Onuegbu further clarified that there is currently no Whitepaper Implementation Committee operating as an agency of the state government, explaining that the previous committee was statutorily dissolved at the end of the first tenure of the administration.
He also stated that the state government did not adopt any report or recommendations from the defunct committee relating to the release or implementation of government land matters.
The commissioner explained that the implementation of the Imo State Government Gazette on the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Recovery of Government Lands and Related Matters, 2020, is being handled exclusively by the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning in collaboration with the Imo State Lands and Geographic Information Agency (IMLAGIA).
He noted that the implementation process is being strengthened following the completion of the digitalisation of the ministry’s operations by the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Barr. Onuegbu advised members of the public to direct all enquiries relating to government land matters to the appropriate ministry, department or agency, rather than relying on unverified publications circulating on social media.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in land administration and urged residents to remain vigilant against misinformation and fraudulent claims.
