Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has taken steps towards recovering lands and properties illegally appropriated or acquired by previous administrations.
To achieve this, Uzodinma has inaugurated the implementation committee of White Paper on Lands and Other Related Matters.
The Committee, according to Uzodinma, would work towards recovering assets recommended by the state’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
Uzodinma, while speaking during the inauguration, said: “Your primary duties are to recover for Imo people all the assets gazetted in the White paper as set out in the recommendations of the Commission.”
He said the inauguration had amplified his Government’s mantras of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery.
“The White-paper on lands and related matters is unambiguous – it is now an established legal fact that lands and properties belonging to both the Government and the people were illegally acquired or appropriated.
“This is so because all such illegal acquisitions were identified by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry. The government accepted these recommendations and thereabout issued a White paper,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie commended the Governor for the rare privilege, which is the first of its kind of assignment.
Members of the implementation committee include Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie -Chairman, Barr. Martin Iwuegbu, Chief H.N Ndi Duroha, Chief John Onyenze, Engr. Lady Mrs Uchenna Onyeiwu Uba, and Chief Godwin Nwadike.
Just recently, the state government had recently seized some properties of former Governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha.
Okorocha, however, is challenging the Imo State government in court over the action.