Ekiti Govt Sheds Light On Landed Property In Ondo

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State government has clarified status of one of its landed properties in Akure, Ondo state capital.

The landed property situated at the high brow Alagbaka Government Reserve Area, is one of the assets inherited by the state on its creation  in 1976.

The Chief Executive Officer, Fountain Holdings Limited, the company in charge of EKiti State Property,  Mr Seyi Ayeleso explained that the property has not been sold for N150 Million as being speculated in social media.

An Akure based man in a two minutes and 50 Seconds video had alleged that a piece of land belonging to Ekiti state in Alagbaka Area of Akure Ondo State capital had been sold by the Fayemi’s aide with the knowledge of Fountain Holdings Limited.

Ayeleso in a Statement, described the video as a total falsehood and an attempt by blackmailers aiming to tarnish the good image of the Fayemi led administration.

He challenged the rumour monger and the man behind the video to come out with evidence or face the wrath of law.

”The ideal thing would have been to maintain golden silence in a situation like this. But for the good of the public, we have to respond officially to his innuendoes not to dignify him but to safe  the public from manipulation.

“The land was allotted to Ekiti State through the issuance of Survey Plan and Certificate of Occupancy in 2004 and duly registered in the book of Ondo State Government.

“So it is not a land that can be sold in secrecy. When land especially like the one in question located in the high brow part of Alagbaka is sold, there are necessary processes such as payment of Government fees and such transaction will be documented in the State Land Registry.

“The Alagbaka/Akure land in question is one of the assets of EKSG on my desk and I can tell you that the land is not sold and there is no plan to sell it.

“Sales of land cannot be done in secrecy. And any inquisitive individual can easily do a search at the Land Registry to know if there is any transaction on any land. As I talk to you the Certificate of Occupancy and the Survey Plan are in my custody.

“However, in line with our investment philosophy, we have the plan  to  concession the land to a developer on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) model under the company’s established strict due diligence and process.

“It is therefore easy for any reasonable person to find out the true position by going to the Land Registry to make necessary enquires.

“There is the Freedom of Information Bill that entitles every citizen to seek information on any Government program or project. He can equally go to the Ministry of Justice to activate his right to know.

“No doubt, the social media has created media space for the good, the bad and the ugly to say all manner of things.”

Ayeleso charged members of the public to disregard the video as it is fitting only for the dustbin.