Rivers State house of Assembly committee on public complaint and Petition meet with Ozuoba community and Daar communication PLC over land dispute

Representatives of Ozuoba community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State approached the House Committee On Public Complaints And Petitions of the Rivers State House Of Assembly to register their displeasure towards the operations of Daar Communications PLC, operators of African Independent Television (AIT) in Ozuoba community.

The petitioners complained to the Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi led committee that Daar Communications had been in occupation of their lands without due consent of the Ozuoba people.

Furthermore, the petitioners went ahead to express total displeasure towards what they described as the irresponsible behaviour of the company towards the community. They alleged that Daar Communications PLC have been allotting plots of lands to other investors and individuals through outright sales and lease without the consent of the community.

Responding on behalf of the management of the Daar group, the legal adviser to the company, Barr. Tunde Popoola dispersed the complaints of the Ozuoba people by furnishing the committee members with evidence that Daar Communications PLC acquired 40 Hectres of land from the Rivers State Government in 2002 under the Governorship of Sir. Dr. Peter Odili and the acquisition he stated further, was with due consultation with the Ozuoba people.

Barr. Popoola in his submission went further to explain that the the Rivers State Government in subsequent times requested 19 Hectres of the property for various developments and as such that Daar Communications is now in possession of 21 Hectres of land at Ozuoba statutorily allotted to them by the Rivers State Government in 2002 when they moved into the State.

The essence of the acquisition of the land was not for any other intent but to develop a media academy in Rivers State, for the training of professionals in broadcasting and communications.

Barr. Popoola made this known to the committee in refutation of the claims by the petitioners that Daar Communications had been responsible for the sales and lease of part of the lands as earlier alleged.

Speaking further he provided evidence that the Rivers State Ministry of Housing approached the company to pay a specified sum of money for the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the 21 Hectres of land which they are occupying at Ozuoba.

He substantiated this claim with evidence that the sum has been paid in 2021, though the certificate of occupancy is yet to be issued by the Ministry.

Summarily, he told the committee that the accusations against the Daar group were unfounded and he prayed the chairman and members of the committee to make proper investigations into the matter for a lasting resolution to be reached.

In his address, the chairman of the Committee and member representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi assured both parties that speedy and accelerated attention will be given to the petition and that locus will be visited subsequently for proper findings.

On a final note, the chairman asked the delegation from Daar Communications to provide the evidence of allotment to the committee for sighting. He said in the wisdom of the committee, that a document of proof that the said land was allotted to Daar Communications in 2002 must have been issued. Daar Communications were therefore, directed to provide the allocation paperwork from the state Government authorizing them to occupy the said land in the next hearing