The Cross River State Government has assured that it would recover all illegally acquired government property, whether by individuals or organisations.
The assurance was given by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, on Monday, when he embarked on inspection of all government-owned properties within the Calabar metropolis.
The Chief of Staff said the inspection became necessary because of the urgent need to ensure that all government properties still occupied by private individuals and unauthorised organisations were immediately recovered.
“Normally at the expiration of one tenure, it is expected that public officials who served in that administration should leave and allow those in the new administration to take over and use the facilities allocated to them for the period of time they will serve in the new government.
“But what I have gone around to see is very pathetic that government properties have been sold out, it is not right because if other administrations before now had done same, then successive governments would not have had any property to inherit,” Ironbar said.
He, however, expressed optimism that the special committee set up to review the transition report as well as that of recovery of government properties would work toward the realization of their objectives.
The inspection was led by some senior staff of the State Ministry of Lands and Housing.
It will be recalled that the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, immediately after the assumption of office, set up a committed called “Fact-Finding Committee On Cross River State Government-owned and Concessioned Industries and Other Landed Properties”.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility to look into transactions relating to government buildings located in the state and outside the state. They will also be looking into all transactions relating to the concession of industries, and their valuation, and review the adequacy and appropriateness of the legal processes.
Similarly, the committee will ensure fair value of assets, and competency of concessionaires and determine the adequacy and protection of the state’s interest.
In a statement by its Secretary, Mr Anthony Effiom, the committee had invited the public and the concession companies to a public sitting from July 10 to 14.
The concessioned industries included British Canadian University, Ogoja Rice Mill, Garment Factory, Ogoja Rice Mill, Obudu German Hospital, Ikom Chocolate Factory, Transcorp Hotel, and Calachika.
While the landed property include; Water Board Land, Ministry of Works Land Calabar, Hope Waddell Land, St. Stephen Primary School Obudu Land, Ministry Of Agriculture Obudu Land, Nitel Land Obudu, Okambi-Abonkib-Ikwom-Ikwu-Igwo Lands in Obudu, and the Land Opposite UJ Esuene Stadium acquired for Indigo Hotel.
The buildings are Cross River House, Abuja, Cross River Government House, State Housing, Calabar.
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