Benue Govt threatens to revoke non performing assets under lease

…. embarks on recovery of landed properties.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State government through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC has commenced the recovery of state owned lands fraudulently acquired by individuals and organizations in the State.

Some of the land so far recovered include the 100 million naira, 7000 square meter popular known as Yaman Park located at Wurukum, Makurdi which is notorious and a hotbed for prostitution and criminalities as well as two(2) properties on Tse-Ayu along George Akume way. 

Addressing newsmen shortly after the recovery exercise on Wednesday, Group Managing Director of BIPC, Raymond Asemakaha, explained that the action was part of a broader asset recovery and verification initiative approved by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State.

 Asemakaha warned that the  company would clamp down hard on individuals and organizations in possession of government assets that are not optimally being utilized. 

He assured that the management of BIPC would no longer allow properties acquired with taxpayers’ money to remain in the hands of private individuals or be lost through administrative lapses, insisting that the recovery followed due process, including documentation checks and physical verification of the properties, while the company is acting strictly within the confines of the law. 

“The company has the mandate backed by Edict 10 of 1995 to manage all government properties and assets for optimal performance. 

“On the two properties reclaimed along George Akume way, Makurdi, one of them is 1 hectare that is 10,000 square meter and it was purchased precisely on 2nd November, 2016 and when I resumed duty, I  did a total forensic and discovered that this land was purchased. 

“Furthermore, I discovered that BIPC made a proxy investment that did not see any return on investment and  in the course of our investigation, it was discovered that a certain account moved that money was closed but had to be reopened and the money traced to this place and has been recovered. 

“We are not stopping here. EFCC is already on the matter to foreclose it and we had to put our presence because they are trying to sell this very land. The other plaza was purchased on 20th October, 2016. 

“BIPC has an edict 10 of 1995 that mandates us to take care of government assets and if you are making an investment that would have return on investment. The banks colluded and we are going to clamp on them as soon as  possible to ensure the state and its citizens get justice. 

“So, I am sounding a warning that anyone intending to buy the land would be doing that at his/her own risk because it belongs to the Benue State government, BIPC and the citizens of the state. We have the title document, the land has one CofO. 

Also the state lands that are on liaise, we are going to clamp on them. Those who were working in government used systematic ways to get the lands without having the capacity and our mandate is to optimize the assets of the government.

 So, if you are holding government assets and they are not performing, we will collect them very fast because they are assets where our citizens will have jobs and so many things will be happening. They are disenfranchising us because we cannot hold any activity as most of them hold these assets in pretence. 

“We must do the right things so if you are holding government assets ensure you pay your dues else we will take it by force for overriding purpose. You cannot hold our assets and go home and sleep. We are not fools again. There are several other government assets that we need to recover. This is just a tip of the iceberg.

“The land was originally given to CBN estate but later sold to individuals. Money was moved from BIPC in purchase of this land by a third party in pretence for investment. Now, we cannot see the dividend of the investment and we have seen the land that was purchased so we are taking hold of it as our investment and the investment stands for the Benue people

While acknowledging that there could be possible litigation, the GMD urged lawyers to place the overriding interest of the state over their selfish interest.

Officials of BIPC, accompanied by security personnel, were seen taking possession of the properties and marking them as recovered assets of the company.

The recovery exercise is part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning BIPC for efficiency, transparency, and improved service delivery, while safeguarding government investments for the benefit of the people of Benue State.