From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed on Thursday set up a Committee to implement the government white paper on the report of the administrative committee of inquiry into land disputes between herders and farmers caused by land use abuse and illegal allocation in local government areas across the state.
Inaugurating the committee at Government House, Bauchi, the Governor said the appointment of the implementation committee is a testimony of the sincerity and commitment of the state government to sanitize land use and allocation in the State.
He warned traditional rulers at all levels as well as state and local government officials charged with the responsibility of land administration to desist from land use abuse and allocation.
“As you are all aware, the land use Act has vested allocation and use of land on the State Governor, I will therefore be abdicating this responsibility if some unscrupulous people are left to abuse the use and allocation of land for their selfish ends.
“Let me make it known to all and sundry that anyone found to be involved in any illegal land deal would incur the full wrath of the land no matter how highly placed or connected that person is.”
The governor said the terms and reference of the committee include, implementing the government positions contained in the white paper, identifying those responsible for the abuse/allocation at both State and Local Government levels and recommend appropriate penalties.
Governor Mohammed who directed the committee to submit the report within 6 weeks, assured of the support of the state government for the success of the assignment.
The Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Sani Usman, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police appreciated the governor for finding him worthy to chair the committee, assuring that the committee being a unique, will discharge its assigned responsibilities without fair or favour.