Imo Govt Threatens to Revoke Land Allocations Over Unpaid Statutory Charges

Imo Govt Threatens to Revoke Land Allocations Over Unpaid Statutory Charges

By Vivian Iwu 

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The Imo State Government has issued a strong warning to property owners and allottees in designated government estates, declaring that anyone who fails to regularise their land documents and settle outstanding statutory obligations risks losing their land allocation.


The warning was contained in an urgent public notice jointly issued by the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal and New Cities Development, the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), and the Office of the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance.


Invoking the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act, 1978, the government said it has the legal authority to revoke rights of occupancy where there is overriding public interest, breach of allocation conditions, non-compliance with statutory obligations, or where land is required for public purposes.


According to the notice, the government will not hesitate to revoke land titles, seal affected properties and impose all applicable penalties on defaulters based on the assessed value of their properties.


The directive affects property owners and stakeholders in Nekede Exclusive Garden Phase II Housing Estate, Area H New Owerri, Civic Centre Layout, World Bank Estate, and other government-owned estates across the state.


To facilitate compliance, the government has established a Revenue Update and Payment Desk to process outstanding land-related obligations, including development levy, ground rent, arrears of ground rent, penalties and other statutory charges.


Affected allottees have been directed to report to the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal and New Cities Development, Block 7, Room 69, State Secretariat Complex, Owerri, with all relevant documents, including allocation letters, powers of attorney where applicable, sublease agreements where necessary, and evidence of previous payments.


The government stressed that the exercise is mandatory, warning that continued failure to comply would attract decisive enforcement measures, including revocation of land titles and other sanctions prescribed by law.


The public notice was jointly signed by the Commissioner for Housing, Urban Renewal and New Cities Development, Hon. Bede Eke; the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri; and the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Hon. Frank Nzewodo.


The development signals a renewed effort by the state government to strengthen compliance with land administration laws, improve revenue generation and ensure proper documentation of government-owned estates.


However, the directive has already sparked debate among residents. While some believe the move is necessary to restore order and ensure fairness in land administration, others are calling on the government to ensure transparency and give genuine allottees adequate opportunity to regularise their documents before enforcement begins.


What is your view? Should the Imo State Government go ahead and revoke land allocations from defaulters, or should more time and concessions be given to affected property owners? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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