The Enugu State House Committee on Lands and Urban Development recently paid a familiarization visit to the Ministry of Lands, where they met with Hon. Chimaobi Patrick Okorie, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development.
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Hon. Okorie welcomed the committee and requested their assistance in domesticating the 1992 urban and regional planning law in Enugu State. He assured the committee that the ministry’s budget estimate would align with the state assembly’s expectations.
The commissioner revealed plans to hold a land summit in Enugu early next year, lasting two to three days. The summit aims to bring together resource persons and stakeholders to find solutions to the missing links in land administration in the state. The summit will focus on land reforms, refocusing, and re-engineering the new Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.
Hon. Okorie commended the committee for amending land reforms and urged them to expedite action on other ministry-related matters. He also extended his felicitations to the Hon. Speaker of the 8th Assembly for the robust collaborative efforts between the ministry and legislative members.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Lands and Urban Development, Hon. Pius Ezugwu, congratulated Hon. Okorie on his recent appointment, describing it as “a square peg in a square hole.” He appreciated Governor Mbah for finding Hon. Okorie worthy to serve in his administration.
Hon. Ezugwu stated that the committee had streamlined laws hindering property acquisition in Enugu State and confirmed that the law of property protection had been signed into law. He also announced that the activities of Ogbo Neche Agu had been abolished in the state.
In their separate speeches, the committee members reaffirmed their commitment to passing bills that facilitate land administration. They assured Hon. Okorie that land issues would be treated amicably to achieve impressive urban development in the state.
The committee proposed seminars/trainings for staff of the Ministry of Lands to meet the state government’s standards. They emphasized a new law requiring property owners to register titles with the Ministry of Lands before building structures.
Other members of the committee present at the visit included Hon. Okey Mba (Deputy Chairman), Hon. Ogara, Hon. William Amuka, Hon. Magnus Edeh, Hon. Johnson Ani, and Barr. Charles Ajogwu (Committee Clerk).