If the rampant land grabbing in Anambra State is not urgently addressed, it could spiral out of control, creating a situation that no government can manage, stakeholders in the state have warned.
According to landlords and land owners both at family and community levels, these land grabbers, often posing under false pretenses, exploit legal ambiguities and corrupt networks to unlawfully seize land from rightful owners. The growing menace, they note, threatens to undermine property rights, destabilise communities and erode public trust in governance. As stakeholders’ cries reach a crescendo, they warn that the unchecked actions of these individuals could lead to a loss of faith in the legal system and create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among landowners.
They advise that state authorities take decisive action, enforce strict regulations and hold offenders accountable to prevent the issue from becoming an insurmountable crisis.
A former legislator in Anambra State, Mr Anthony Okafor insisted that protecting the rights of citizens and maintaining social order must be a top priority to ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of the state.
He revealed that land in some communities in the state was becoming a scarce commodity, adding that so many powerful people were swooping on people’s land without the government checking the trend. Okafor urged the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to act on the findings of any White Paper resulting from panels of inquiry established by the state government. These inquiries were set up to investigate land grabbing activities that have reportedly led to loss of life and property destruction in various parts of the state. Addressing the ongoing communal conflicts in the state, Okafor called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to release the findings of any investigations into land issues in Anambra State. He emphasized that making these reports public could help facilitate resolutions between the disputing communities and promote peace. He observed that certain influential individuals, posing as members of the Land Management Committee in the state, exploit this position to manipulate members of conflicting communities. These individuals use the situation to extort and illegally seize land, taking advantage of the disputes for their own gain.
Okafor stated that the government should build more roads in the rural areas as a way of opening the areas to attract the working class. He added that if there are roads, companies will be located in the areas and help to stem the land crises in crisis-prone areas.
Mrs Chinwe Okonkwo, an estate agent who hails from Anambra State, noted that the need for the government to intervene on these land crises is very urgent because when big companies begin to focus on the areas, the crises that will envelop the area will be much. According to her, most of the residents are living in their family house while in the major cities those who live in rented apartments suffer the problem.
According to Mr. David Obodoeze, a property developer, while a challenging economy presents obstacles, it also offers opportunities for growth and innovation in the real estate industry. This is why the Governor should even delve into the disputed land and cite serious development industries there. “Embrace these changes by analysing the market, enhancing your digital presence, diversifying services, and focusing on client relationships. By doing so all these land owners who are in crises will find a way to settle without the Government hearing about it. By making these strategic adaptations in your daily business practices, the governor will position not only to survive but to use the way and settle communal crises in the state.
Stay resilient, stay informed, and remain flexible in your approach. When other state governors are backing away because of political leanings, you will be making progress and stay on course. Embrace these changes, and let them fuel your success in the dynamic world of real estate,” he asserted.
Credit: The Sun