By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A group known as Lokoja Concerned Citizens, (LCC), in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State has sent a “Save Our Soul” message to the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo over the illegal sale of old Lokoja Water Reservoir and the surrounding plot of land to an hotelier.
Speaking to National Watch Tv, on Saturday, President of the LCC, Ibrahim Maikankan Abdullahi, alleged that land speculators and developers aided by top official of the Kogi State Bureau Of Land And Urban Development have sold the old Lokoja Water Reservoir and the surrounding plot situated along New layout, Lokoja to an hotelier (names withheld) since last year.
According to the LCC president, the Water Reservoir was built by colonial masters in the 50s and handed over to the then Kwara State government.
He said; “In 1991, when Kogi State was created this facility was the only water reservoir that supplies water to the whole Lokoja and it’s environs before the construction of the Greater Lokoja Water Works at Ganaja. Though the previous administrations later abandoned the facility.
“We learnt yesterday the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya MD Farouk at a press conference briefed journalists on government efforts in tacking the perennial water scarcity in Lokoja. At the event, he said that the State government is considering the rehabilitation of this old water reservoir which has already been sold. Though the commissioner is not aware that the facility has been sold.
“For the State government to achieve this, we are calling on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to as a matter of urgency to revoke the fraudulent allocation of the reservoir and the surrounding plot.
Abdullahi said that as law abiding citizens who are not interested in the use of force to settle disputes; “we are calling on the state governor’s urgent intervention to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
The LCC president noted that the group has written numerous petitions to security agencies, ministries and government offices over the illegal sale of the facility to no avail.
Although, the group has exonorated the current Director General, Bureau of Lands and Urban Development, Malik Teina from the illegal deal.
Abdullahi, who commended Malik for his ways of handling land maters in the state, adviced him to beam his searchlight on the activities of land grabbers.
He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support to Lokoja traditional council and commitment to his promise to turn Lokoja into a mega city.
Several impeccable sources who spoke to National Watch Tv said these land grabbers in collaboration with a top official of the state Bureau of Land have sold many abandoned government plots of land in the past.
The land speculators claimed to be untouchable.
Recall that National Watch Tv had also reported the fraudulent sale of Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture land situated along IBB road, beside HABSO filling station, Lokoja, to a top government official by same land speculators aided by a top official of the state Bureau Of Land And Urban Development.
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