Rivers State tackles land grabbing with community-based authority in Alesa
Rivers State may be turning a new page in the fight against land grabbing and fraudulent land sales with the inauguration of a government-backed but community-driven land development authority in Alesa, home to the Port Harcourt refineries.
The Alesa Land Development Committee (ALDEC) was launched over the weekend by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor Mkpe, in a bid to curb unscrupulous land transactions that have long plagued the state.
The committee is headed by Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, who vowed to uphold transparency and protect both investors and landowners.
Addressing community members at the inauguration, Emperor Mkpe highlighted the challenges caused by illegal land sales, including instances where minors or unauthorised individuals sell land without the knowledge of rightful owners.
He noted that such practices have created tension and threatened investor confidence in the community.
“We have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice.
”We will not allow investors to risk their funds on lands that are disputed or illegally sold,” he said.
The paramount ruler emphasised that the committee will serve as a regulatory body, ensuring that all land transactions in Alesa follow due process.
Investors purchasing land legally will be supported through the acquisition of Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) in partnership with the Rivers State government.
He issued a stern warning to would-be land grabbers: “Please do not come near this commodity because if we catch you, we will show you the way out.”
He also encouraged investors to develop their lands immediately, cautioning that undeveloped plots after five years will be reclaimed by the government as “waste land.”
Chairman Olaka, speaking after the inauguration, pledged loyalty to the community and the palace, affirming that the committee’s mission is to accelerate development while safeguarding the interests of both residents and investors.
“Those coming to invest will not have any trouble. You will be unhurt. That is why the council of chiefs deemed it necessary to form this committee,” he said.
The initiative received high praise from My-ACE China, Mayor of Housing, who is overseeing the upcoming Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City project.
He described the committee as a blueprint for other communities, urging similar efforts to eliminate land fraud and secure investment across Rivers State.
With the establishment of ALDEC, Alesa is poised to set a precedent in community-based land management, potentially reshaping the landscape for lawful development and investor confidence in the region.
