The Rivers State House of Assembly has intervened in the land dispute between Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television and their host community, Ozuoba in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state.
Representatives of Ozuoba community had earlier approached the House Committee On Public Complaints And Petitions to register their displeasure towards the operations of Daar Communications Plc in their community.
The petitioners complained to the Evans Bipi led committee that Daar Communications had been in occupation of their lands without due consent of the Ozuoba people.
The petitioners express displeasure towards what they described as the irresponsible behavior of the company towards the community by 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, legal adviser to the company, Barr. Tunde Popoola dispersed the complaints of the Ozuoba people by furnishing the committee members with evidence that the company acquired 40 Hectres of land from the Rivers State Government in 2002 under the governorship of Dr. Peter Odili and the acquisition he stated, was with due consultation with the Ozuoba people.
Popoola in his submission went further to explain that 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, the company said was not for any other intent but to develop a media academy in Rivers State, for the training of professionals in broadcasting and communications.
The company’s legal adviser tendered some documents as 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, adding that the sum has been paid in 2021, though the certificate of occupancy is yet to be issued by the Ministry.
Also, he told the committee that the accusations against Daar Group were unfounded and prayed 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, Evans Bipi assured both parties that speedy and accelerated attention will be given to the petition and that the area will be visited subsequently for proper findings.
The committee chairman also asked the delegation from Daar Communications to provide the evidence of allotment to the committee for sighting, stressing 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.
