Kogi State Bureau of Lands and Urban Development has cautioned members of the public against the sale or purchase of landed properties within the state without proper verification.
Newly appointed Director General of the Bureau, Samari Abdulmalik Teina, who gave the warning while speaking to newsmen in his office in Lokoja expressed concern over the increasing cases of land grabbing and illegal transactions involving landed properties.
Teina said verification was ongoing by the bureau and called for partnership with stakeholders to ensure that all land transactions were properly documented in compliance with relevant laws.
The DG pointed out that individuals or organizations stand the risk of losing their titled documents especially with regards to C of Os recently issued if verification was not done.
He urged all property owners to cooperate during the verification process and provide all relevant documentation.
Teina disclosed that the bureau was working to ensure complete digitization of its operations and improve on its GIS to make the process of land acquisition secure and effective.
The DG Lands said that government would ensure strict monitoring of new layouts to ensure compliance with the state masterplan as it carry out its urban renewal to decongest the city areas.
Teina therefore sought the cooperation of residents in payment of their ground rents so as to generate funds for infrastructure and ensure affordable housing for citizens.
