A mass mobilisation to get property owners in Asaba and other urban centres in Delta State to formally register and document their houses is to be launched by the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.

To ensure its success, a task force will be set up to drive the campaign, according to Chief Dan Okenyi, Commissioner for Lands and Survey. Speaking in Asaba in continuation of his tour and verification of illegally acquired lands belonging to the Delta State government, Okenyi said “Operation show your property documents” will commence in two weeks’ time.

“Governor Okowa’s guiding principle in urban planning is to project into the future, and for the government to make short and long term plans, there must be adequate data on existing property”, he said. The drive to document landed property in the state is not just driven by the desire to generate revenue.

“With accurate data, government will be better placed to plan on boosting water supply, roads and other essential services necessary for comfortable living in urban centres. We are going to ensure that every property is documented. It should not be seen as doing government a favour. It’s now a duty to obtain the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for every property”, Okenyi stated.

He decried the indiscriminate encroachment on government lands by developers and urged the relevant staff of the Ministry of Lands and Survey to ensure that where notices are issued for developers to evacuate government lands, the directive is enforced. Okenyi directed the immediate suspension of an official of the ministry who failed to enforce a continuation of work order on the illegal developer of a government land.

He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the permanent secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Sam Adjohwenyo and other top officials.