Bayelsa Govt Revokes Land Rights of Electricity Company, NDLEA, Others

Bayelsa Govt Revokes Land Rights of Electricity Company, NDLEA, OthersThe Bayelsa Government has revoked the Certificate of Occupancy and rights of occupancy over three parcels of land in the state.The revocation was contained in a public notice issued pursuant to Section 28(5) of the Land Use Decree, 1978.The notice was signed under the authority of Gov. Douye Diri and affects lands previously granted to private and public entities, including the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd. and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).One of the affected parcels was previously granted to Chief Gibson Peresuo Egberime and registered as Certificate of Occupancy No. 93, Page 93, Volume 17 of the Lands Registry, Bayelsa State.The parcel, located at Ovom in Yenagoa Local Government Area, covers approximately 4,066.34 square metres.The notice said the land had subsequently been required for the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd. and NDLEA.Another affected parcel is located at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area, according to the notice.The government also revoked rights of occupancy over another parcel previously allocated for public purposes, with the affected properties identified by survey plans and specified coordinates.The notice directed anyone claiming any right or interest in the affected parcels to submit a statement of such interest to the Commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Yenagoa.Such claims, it said, must be submitted within two weeks from the date of the notice, alongside evidence supporting the claims.It added that the governor was willing to treat with affected persons regarding the revocation of their rights of occupancy.The notice further directed the affected persons to yield possession of the lands at the expiration of two weeks from the date of the notice.It assured that compensation would be paid to affected persons in accordance with Section 29 of the Land Use Decree of 1978.The government also warned that any person obstructing officials in taking possession of the affected lands could face legal consequences under the Land Use Decree.The notice stated that plans showing the affected parcels would be available for inspection during official hours at the Ministry of Lands and Survey, Yenagoa.The development comes amid the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its electricity infrastructure and expand its independent power project.It will be recalled that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had earlier transferred regulatory oversight of Bayelsa’s intrastate electricity market to the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency. The state government has also been pursuing a 60-megawatt independent power project at Elebele, Ogbia, as part of its plans to improve electricity supply across Bayelsa.