By Ruth Orji
The Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has warned individuals and groups against the unauthorised collection of development levies on land transactions across the state.
The government made it clear that the ministry remains the only authorised body responsible for collecting such levies, warning that anyone engaging in illegal collections is acting outside the law.
The clarification was given on November 3 during a peace meeting held at the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu. The meeting was convened to address lingering disagreements between the Oba community in Idemili Local Government Area and property developers.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner said he had received several complaints about the alleged harassment of developers and the indiscriminate collection of levies during land transactions.
He appealed to the parties involved, particularly members of the Oba community, to embrace peace and seek lasting solutions to their differences. He noted that a peaceful community would create room for development and attract investors capable of contributing to its growth.
Barr. Ojukwu also emphasised the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding, describing them as necessary for building investors’ confidence and creating an environment where genuine development can flourish.
He further cautioned that collecting levies on land transactions without the authorisation of the state government constitutes an offence under the Physical Planning Law.
The Commissioner noted that the law had been in existence for over 15 years and urged residents to familiarise themselves with its provisions.
Contributing, representative of the Ministry’s Legal Department, Barr. Chiamaka Atu reaffirmed that the collection of development fees falls exclusively within the ministry’s responsibility and any defaulter would be prosecuted and made to pay the appropriate fines.
Meanwhile, the President-General of the Oba Patriotic Union, Chief Anthony Ejiofor, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for appointing what he described as the right person to head the ministry. He praised the Commissioner’s knowledge and experience and assured that the union would continue to collaborate with the ministry in the interest of the state’s development.
Ruth is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State.
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