Rivers State Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties has given illegal occupants of the Government Reserved Area (GRA) Phase 9 at Rumunduru Oroigwe and Rumuewhara communities Obio Akpor Local Government Area seven days to vacate Government land or face eviction.
The Task Force gave the directive on Thursday after a visit to Government Estates and lands in the communities.
Addressing journalists after the visit, Secretary of the Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties, Chief Hanny Woko decried the situation where illegal occupants take over vast portions of Government Properties.
He said: “We are here at the location of GRA Phase 9, a vast property paid for and acquired by the Rivers State Government. Unfortunately, you can see how the place has been taken over by illegal land speculators.
“If you look around, you will see built up illegal houses on Government land. It is heartbreaking that citizens will boldly encroach Government land, build and start living. Definitely, these buildings will have to go down.
“I want to use this opportunity to caution land buyers to carry out due diligence before you buy any property. If you feign ignorance and take Government land, Government will retake its land”.
He said that the Wike Administration has the will power to secure and recover all Government Properties.
Official Government notices were placed by the Task Force on the government lands and Estates in the area.
