L-R:Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Joe Poroma, Executive Director, RSSDA, Mr Noble Pepple, Chairman RSSDA Board, Rev Precious Omuku and a manager in RSSDA, Mr Godwin Poi at the graduation of RSSDA students in Britain, recently
The Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHDA) says it has paid the sum of N1.5billion for lands acquired from Omuoda and Aluu communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The administrator of the authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, who said this in a press release made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that the authority was willing to compensate land owners for the new city project but added that, this will be done after physical verification and proper documentation.
Dame Cookey –Gam, who met with leaders of Omuodo-Aluu and their lawyer, Barrister Nwabueze Amadi last Friday, said that the state government has paid several claims, noting that Omuoda and Aluu communities have received not less than N1.5billion compensation for lands acquired by the authority.
The release signed by Prince Nwaokugh also said that at all parties meeting between the administrator, Dame Cookey-Gam, Surveyor Richard Madume of the state Ministry of Lands and Survey and Omuoda-Aluu community leader, Sir Innocent Azutah, it was agreed that it was necessary to resolve all the issues arising from poor document as well as conflicting claims and several litigations which have bogged down the process, thereby making it difficult for claims to be ascertained and verified for compensation to be paid.
Dame Cookey-Gam later charged the surveyors and the claimant lawyers to furnish her office with accurate documentation so that affected members of Omuoda-Allu could be paid compensation.
Meanwhile, a new board of directors for the authority has been inaugurated.
This followed the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer board.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who inaugurated the board in Port Harcourt, charged them to continue with the task of implementing the Greater Port Harcourt masterplan and development of the new city.
The board has Arch Tonye Cole as chairman while Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam is the administrator/ member. Other members of the board include, Engr George Otoko, Miss Donu Kogbara, and Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa.
The rest are Chief James Fuayefika, Barrsiter Okechukwu Owhonda, Terence Akujuobi, Surveyor Joseph.W.Amadi, Engr Victor Amachree and representatives of Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Housing.
Also represented are Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Justice as well as that of Environment.