From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Benue State government through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC has commenced the recovery of state owned lands fraudently acquired by individuals and organizations.
Some of the land so far recovered include the 100 million naira, 7000 square meter popular Yaman Park located at Wurukum, Makurdi which is notorious and a hotbed for prostitution and criminalities as well as two(2) properties on Tse-Ayu along George Akume way.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the Group Managing Director, GMD BIPC Dr Raymond Asemakaha warned that they would clamp hard on individuals and organizations in possession of government assets that are not optimally been utilized.
Asemakaha said the company has the mandate backed by Edict 10 of 1995 to manage all government properties and assets for optimal performance.
Commenting on the two property reclaimed along George Akume way, Makurdi, he pointed out that one of them is 1 hectare that is 10,000 square meter and it was purchased precisely on 2nd November, 2016, stating that when he resumed duty, he did a total forensic and discovered that this land was purchased.
According to him, BIPC made a proxy investment that did not see any return on investment, averring that in the course of their investigation, they discovered that a certain account they moved that money is closed but had to be reopened and the money traced to this place and have beenrecovered.
Said he, “we are not stopping here, EFCC is already on the matter to foreclose it and we had to put our presence because they are trying to sell this very land. The other plaza was purchased on 20th October, 2016. BIPC has an edict 10 of 1995 that mandates us to take care of government assets and if you are making an investment that would have return on investment. The banks colluded and we are going to clamp on them as soon as possible to ensure the state and its citizens get justice.
“So, am sounding a warning that anyone intending to buy the land would be doing that at his/her own risk because it belongs to Benue State government, BIPC and the citizens of the state. We have the title document, the land has one CofO. Also the state lands that are on liaise, we are going to clamp on them. Those who were working in government used systematic ways to get the lands without having the capacity and our mandate is to optimize the assets of government. So, if you are holding government assets and they are not performing, we will collect them very fast because they are assets where our citizens will have jobs and so many things will be happening. They are disenfranchising us because we cannot hold any activity as most of them hold these assets in pretence.
“We must do the right things so if you are holding government assets ensure you pay your dues else we will take it by force for overriding purpose. You cannot hold our assets and go home and sleep. We are not fools again. There are several other government assets that we need to recover. This is just a tip of the iceberg.
“The land was originally given to CBN estate but later sold to individual. Money was moved from BIPC in purchase of this land by a third party in pretence for investment. Now, we cannot see the dividend of the investment and we have seen the land that was purchased so we are taking hold of it as our investment and the investment stands for the Benue people
While acknowledging that there could be possible litigation, the GMD urged lawyers to place the overriding interest of the state over their selfish interest.
Hear him, “I want to beg the citizens of Benue State including the lawyers and advisories that if they want Benue to be a better place, we must all work together. It is not everything that is about litigation, we must come to the table and see the facts. This is not a fight but the right thing to do. We are trying to do our best to ensure that Benue is in the map amongst developed states. It is that you moved money on behalf of BIPC and purchased land which was diverted to individual. So if we have traced it. The lands reclaimed would be built.
“We have over 1.7 million. unemployed persons in the state and few individuals siphoned money to buy lands. Imagine if the money they stole is shared, you know how each youth would have gotten and our generation is just wasting. How do they feed. Let me tell we have coming to equity with clean hands so that when am done, you can go and check me. We are doing the right things and would not stop. We will do everything to protect the future generations. Our bread factory on George Akume way was part of recovery as well as the plaza on the same way involving one person.
“These are money that would have helped develop the State if these industries that are sited now had been built in the past. Am begging the legal team that intend to fight, check your conscience for the state before you take the second action. Not just collect money but ensure you verify what we have. The CBN accounting office who was an accomplice Benue State and BIPC would clamp down on you and ensure we get justice”.
