From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
A group of estate surveyors and valuers has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for the progress made in land administration reforms, security, and infrastructure during his first year in office. They emphasised that no country in the world has ever developed without a proper land policy and administration.
The group, Ubosi Eleh and Co, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Government House Enugu on Wednesday to invite the governor to a workshop for estate surveyors and valuers in Enugu city.
Led by Emeka Eleh, the group listed the enactment of the Enugu State Geographic Information Services Law, legislation to combat land grabbing, and efforts to correct illegalities in property development as commendable steps towards repositioning the state for socioeconomic development.
Eleh stated that Mbah had repositioned Enugu as a prime location for business in Nigeria, expressing delight about the state’s 2024 budget, which proposes ₦107.2 billion for recurrent expenditure (21%) and ₦414.3 billion for capital expenditure (79%).
“Coming from a strong private sector background, we were delighted when you were elected, believing it would be a turning point for the state. The evidence of governance we see proves us right,” Eleh said.
“We often discuss the housing deficit without addressing the infrastructural deficit. We are glad you are tackling this head-on to add value to the lives of the people.
“We are also happy about your work in land administration and physical planning. We see how you are reorganising the city, ensuring adherence to regulations, and promoting better building practices for a more liveable city. This is commendable because Enugu must return to its former glory.
“We equally commend your efforts to expedite the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. The Land Use Act empowers the governor in this area, and we are glad you are utilising this power.
“For those of us from this region, where business is a cornerstone of our lives, the issue of titling and Certificates of Occupancy is key. We are pleased you are also addressing land grabbing.
“You are just one year in, and a lot has happened. We can only imagine what the next three years hold. We are certain that Enugu is in good hands.”
Responding, Mbah assured them of his administration’s commitment to making Enugu State a hub for investment, business, tourism, and living.
He listed the Enugu State Geographic Information Service, the New Enugu City project, aggressive road construction, restoration of water supply to the capital city, land administration reforms, and the actualisation of the state’s power to regulate power generation, transmission, and distribution as part of the efforts to improve the ease of doing business.
“We are now able to generate 120 million litres of water daily, up from the occasional 2 million litres we inherited. We are addressing reticulation challenges to ensure water reaches everyone.
“We are also committed to achieving a 24-hour power supply. We were the first state to establish our Electricity Regulatory Commission and have rights devolved from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This allows us to regulate the entire electricity value chain in our state.
“We are committed to improving the ease of doing business. Enugu is open for business, and we welcome partnerships with the private sector, particularly in the land sector,” Mbah stated.
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