The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has issued Executive Order No. 007 of 2024, revoking the rights of occupancy over lands in the BAP 4 Layout.
The order follows an audit by the Gombe State Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation, PIME, Committee, which uncovered significant violations of the land grant terms.
The Governor cited the grantees’ failure to comply with the conditions of the land grants as the primary reason for the revocation.
The BAP 4 Layout, which was originally allocated by the former Bauchi State Government before Gombe State’s creation in 1996, has seen over four decades of neglect and underdevelopment.
The PIME Committee’s audit revealed alarming issues, including the failure of titleholders to develop their plots, illegal land use changes, and extensive encroachments.
These violations have distorted the original layout, compromising public-use areas like schools, healthcare facilities, and roads, rendering the area substandard by modern planning criteria.
The
audit also highlighted severe environmental degradation, such as the worsening of gully erosion, which threatens the land plots.
Non-payment of ground rent, other fees, and serious documentation flaws further contributed to the decision to revoke the rights of occupancy.
The affected lands are located at the following coordinates:
– Latitude 10°16’05.9″ N, Longitude 11°08’04’ E (near New Mile Three)
– Latitude 10°16’37’ N, Longitude 11°08’09’ E (adjacent to Wuro Liman)
– Latitude 10°16’34’ N, Longitude 11°07’25’ E (close to the New Mile Three roundabout)
– Latitude 10°17’10’ N, Longitude 11°07’15’ E (near Gombe International Hotel)
– Latitude 10°17’14’ N, Longitude 11°07’40’ E (near Orji/Shongo Housing Estate)
The Executive Order, effective from August28, 2024, notified the affected parties that their occupancy rights have been nullified, but that it would ensure fair compensation for landowners with unexhausted improvements.
Governor Yahaya also has directed the Gombe State Geographic Information Se
rvice, (GOGIS, to redesign the BAP 4 Layout, creating functional and livable spaces integrated with the wider community.
The redesign will include reconfiguring plots for residential and commercial use, resizing for public utilities, and planning essential infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, and water supply.
GOGIS will also verify original titleholders for reallocation and regularize customary titles in the Wuro Liman area. Those affected by the revocation will have the first right of refusal in the new allocation process, subject to necessary fees.
Affected individuals have been aadvised to contact GOGIS for further details.
Source: Voice of Nigeria