Niger Commissioner In Trouble Over Fraudulent Land Allocation In Suleja

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello
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Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello

From Saka Bolaji, Minna

The Niger state House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner of Lands and Housing, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, to explain the reason why plots of lands in Suleja were allocated indiscriminately under dubious and questionable circumstances.

Following the observation by the Minority Leader, Honorable Shuaibu Iya during the House Plenary, the Commissioner was alleged of allocating all the lands without due regard of existing laws, rules and regulations within a very short time.

Iya noted that the letters of allocation issued do not have reference numbers and was without the name and address of the recipient on the allocation documents adding that the implication of this means that there are no official records of such documents in the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Iya, who is the member representing Suleja constituency, added that while letter of allocation stipulates that certain fees are to be paid into the state government treasury single account, the letters directed that the money should be paid through a certified bank draft in favour of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

“There is just one treasury single account where every naira income from ministries, departments and agencies are deposited. The idea of using a Certified Bank draft in favour of Ministry of Lands and Housing is against the principle of transparency and accountability. This, in short, is an act of corruption which must be investigated,” Iya said.

He stated that if appropriate measures were not taken, the repercussion may affect the laudable programmes, policies and plan of the government.

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Honorable Ahmed Marafa directed the clerk of the Assembly to invite the Commissioner to respond to the allegations.


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