…As Authority Withdraws Temporary Permit On Disputed Land
By Saeed Ahmad Bappah & Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has dismissed claims in a video clip circulating on social media alleging that it illegally revoked a plot of land belonging to the Late Alhaji Lawan Bawasa and reallocated same to one Saleh Ɗan Masanin Tumu.
The Executive Chairman of the authority, Alhaji Bappayo Samanja Mauɗo made the clarification while speaking to newsmen on the issue.
According to him “Reports reaching us indicated that a plot of land located around Rainbow Roundabout, originally belonging to the Late Alhaji Lawan is being claimed by Saleh Ɗan Masani, who has quickly commenced constructions on the land without the consent of the deceased’s family who claimed ownership”.
“The authority has received a proof from the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation that the said plot has been compensated and it’s now a right of way (ROW). So there’s no individual who has right to claim it talk less of developing it”.
The chairman further noted that GOSUPDA will immediately summon all parties involved to clarify the issues once and for all, as it has came to its notice that the family of the Late Alhaji Lawan Bawasa are not aware that their late father has collected compensation on that said land.
He explained that when the matter was formally reported to GOSUPDA, officials promptly visited the site and issued a stop and report notice, directing that all construction activities be discontinued pending investigation, but Sale Ɗan Masani continue with the development despite the first and second stop notices issued.
He said the authority has reinstructed that the construction be stopped immediately until a thorough investigation is carried out to determine the fate of the property.
“In furtherance of its efforts to resolve this issue, GOSUPDA has issued a letter of withdrawal to Sale Ɗan Masani on the temporary approval we earlier gave him to run a car wash business on the land”, the executive chairman added.
Alhaji Samanja condemned what he described as misleading and malicious social media reports by enemies of progress attempting to tarnish the image of GOSUPDA and the Gombe State Government for some personal and political reasons best known to them.
He assured the public that GOSUPDA remains committed to transparency and justice, stressing that once investigations are concluded, justice will be served to all parties, and the land will be returned to its rightful owner in accordance with the law.
Bappayo Mauɗo dismissed allegations in the viral video that GOSUPDA has sold the disputed land to Ɗan Masani.
“As we all know, GOSUPDA is not constitutionally empowered with the right to allocate land to anybody or organization nor sell it, we only have powers to oversee and control developments, give approvals for legal business premises, residential and commercial permits where necessary”.