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| Uni Jos Main Gate |
Uni Jos authority speaks on land encroachment, says most illegal
structures are built in the nights.
By Joseph A. Adudu
February 25, 2020
The Management of the University of Jos has
noted with dismay the half-truths that have been fed the public as it is not
the true reflection of what is on ground stemming from encroachment into its
land by land grabbers. A statement by the Senior Deputy Registrar, Vice
Chancellor’s office, Wilson Yale stated
that the land in question which belonged to the defunct Nigerian Bricks and
Clay Products Limited was purchased by the University through a competitive
bidding from the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). “Since the acquisition of
the land, the University has been under siege by Land grabbers, leading to
erection of illegal structures most of which are built in the nights.
“Because the
University is a Law-abiding institution, it sought the intervention of the
State Government which led to the constitution of a 10 Man Committee under the
Leadership of the former Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local
Government Council and Representatives of:
The Ministry
of Land, Survey and Town Planning University of Jos, The Jatau Family,Jos
Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), MD/CEO Ron Properties Development
CompanyThe Distrcict Head of Righizah, Senior Ward Head of Naraguta and
Ministry of
Justice,” the statement stated.
The
statement added that the committee submitted its report to the State Government
and after a careful study of the report; the State Government came up with a White-Paper
in November, 2019 stressing that the White-Paper authenticated the Certificate
of Occupancy No PL9636 issued in 1988 measuring 119.50 Hectres issued to the
Nigerian Bricks and Clay Products Limited, now property of the University of
Jos.
The
University further described as unfortunate the incidence of Saturday, 22nd day
of February, 2020 happened when the University was trying to secure its land by
digging a trench to stop further encroachment into the land, when some irate
youth forcefully chased workers on the site, though the statement said it was
not the first time they have been confronting the workers only that the recent
turned out to be the most violent in which students were attacked and wounded,
houses rented by Students of the University and a place of worship with several
other property destroyed.
According to
the statement, “As a result of this unfortunate incidence, the State Government
summoned an emergency stakeholders meeting which included the University of Jos
Management, the two Traditional Rulers of Rigizah and Naraguta and others from
the two communities.
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| Naraguta Campus |
After
exhaustive discussions, the Stakeholders sympathized with the victims of the
incident and condemned the act of violence in totality. It further states that:
i. The
property in question is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy legitimately
acquired by the University of Jos.
ii. The
University therefore has the right to demarcate and secure its property against
encroachment by Land grabbers
iii. The
University should continue with the work it has started.
iv. The
University should dig its trench for the demarcation 3 Metres away from any
existing old building.
v. All
illegal buildings that sprung up after the acquisition of the land by the
University should be demolished and
vi. It was
recommended that an Implementation Advisory Committee would be set up for the
implementation of the Government White-Paper.
It is
therefore preposterous for anybody to lay claim to the land and stop the
legitimate owners from making use of their land. The University of Jos
Management notes with dismay the half-truths that have been fed the public as
it is not the true reflection of what is on ground”.
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