Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya says the people of the state have nothing to fear, following the directive of the government to suspend land development in some parts of the state.

Yahaya noted that as soon as the exercises are completed, the suspension would be lifted to allow individuals to proceed with the development of their plots of land in line with the requirements of the law.

He made this disclosure on Monday in his address at a two-day stakeholders engagement workshop organised by the Gombe State Geographic Information System.

According to him, “Let me use this opportunity to once again assure the good people of Gombe State that this government under my leadership has no intention whatsoever of dispossessing any individual or group of their legally acquired land titles. All rightful owners of land titles have no reason to fear about land-grabbing.”

He stressed that based on the recommendations of the Land Reform Committee, the state initiated policies in order to right the wrongs, adding that Executive Order 4 which was signed in 2020 sought to check uncontrolled alienation of communal lands.

“Consequently, land transactions, buildings and building plans approval were temporarily suspended at the area designated as Gombe Capital Special Development Zone pending the completion of layout auditing exercises and proper verification and re-certification of all land titles in the affected layouts.

“As soon as these exercises are completed, the suspension will be lifted to allow individuals to proceed with the development of their plots in line with the requirements of the law. To oversee the successful implementation of the capital development zone.”

On his part, Commissioner for Lands and Survey Muhammed Biri said the workshop would provide an avenue for traditional, religious and community leaders to interact with local government council chairmen and officials responsible for the implementation of land administration reforms in the state.

Also, GOGIS Director-General, Dr Kabir Usman, explained that stakeholders and participants at the workshop were expected to come up with recommendations on land administration in the state, develop strategies for effective implementation of land administration and sustainable development policies of the state government.