The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has approved the revocation of all allocations of parcels of land around the neighbourhood of the famous Zuma Rock in Tafa Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Land and Housing, Mr Haliru Jikantoro, in a memo to the Governor on Monday, sought approval for the revocation of the land within Zuma Rock.
Mr Jikantoro explained that Governor Bello gave the approval in exercising the powers conferred on him in consonance with the provisions of Section 28, sub-section 2 (b) of the Land Use Act of 1978.
He noted that the Governor’s action was based on the strategic location of the area, the need to preserve the natural endowment for collective benefits and above all, in the overriding interest of the public.
The Commissioner listed seven beneficiaries with a total of 248 hectares of land affected.
Mr Jikantoro also directed all affected beneficiaries to return the grant or Certificates of Occupancy in their possession and settle amount outstanding within three months from the date of the revocation.
He, however, stated that beneficiaries with proof of un-exhausted improvement on their revoked plots may be entitled to compensation or alternative allocation of plot where appropriate.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, warned those engaged in commercial activities such as the local crushing and quarrying of granite behind the famous Zuma Rock to stop forthwith or face the wrath of the law pointing out that such parcels of land belong to his Ministry.
