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Ogun State governor, Senator. Ibikunle Amosun yesterday inaugurated a panel that would scrutinise land deals under former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s administration, just as he said that his administration would pay high premium on land, saying it is one of the factors that can bring development to the state.
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According to Amosun while speaking at the inauguration of the commission of inquiry into all land allocations, acquisitions, sale and concessions of government property and administration of land policies, rules and regulations between January, 2004 and May 29, 2011, explained that since land as a factor of production was most unique and strategic, his administration would give it a peculiar attention, particularly in meeting the five cardinal programmes of the ruling party.
“In our own peculiar situation, land will play a crucial role in our administration’s economic rebuilding mission. ?It becomes a significant factor in the successful implementation of our 5-cardinal programme.
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“This is more especially in the areas of agricultural production and industrialisation; affordable housing and urban renewal; rural-infrastructural development as well as employment generation. This has serious implications on our farm settlements, farm estates, Free Trade Zones (FTZs), and forest reserves which undoubtedly are huge sources of income for the state government and viable apparatus of poverty alleviation”.
While acknowledging the natural endowment of Land to the state, Amosun observed that “it is also practical that we examine why this God-given gift has not been able to bring forth yields. One can then appreciate the serious concern of different stakeholders and the Ogun State House of Assembly on issues relating to land acquisition and the use for which it has been put in the State.
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“I believe this concern and desire to bring about the positive changes in land acquisition and use, led to the Ogun State House of Assembly Resolution 042/2011 of August 18, 2011. In pursuant of this Resolution, therefore, and as an administration which believes governance is all about the people, we are today inaugurating a Commission of Inquiry into all land allocations, acquisitions, sale and concession of government property and administration of land policies, rules and regulations between January, 2004 and May 29, 2011.”
This Panel, he stressed, “is made up of distinguished and honourable persons in our society. Hon. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi is the Chairman, while Mr. Oluwagbenga Kareem will serve as the secretary.”
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Terms of Reference for the Commission among others is “ identify individuals, institutions and groups involved in the breaches, abuse or misuse of power, loss of revenue and other acts, omissions or losses as enumerated and the extent of their involvement. The Commission is also to recommend appropriate measures and sanctions against such identified individuals, institutions and groups.
Amosun hinted that the Panel was expected to complete its assignment and submit its report not later than ?December 19, 2011.