Why Rivers Assembly Revoked Ownership 868 Plots Of Land Acquired By Dokpesi’s Daar Comm

The Rivers State House of Assembly has revoked the ownership of the land occupied by Daar Communications Plc, the owners of AIT (African Independent Television).

The land estimated to be 868 plots is located on Ozuoba in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Daar Communications owned by Raymond Dokpesi- a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) like Governor Nyesom Wike – is accused of “wrongful acquisition”.

The accusation against the company was brought to the Rivers State House of Assembly by Rumuokwashi, Rumuosi, Ozuoba and Alakahia communities.

The House of Assembly revoked the ownership of the based on the recommendations by the House Committee on Public Complaints which handled the case.

The Chairman of the Committee Evans Bipi claimed Daar Communications failed to provide the documents that backs its ownership of the land.

According to Bipi “the committee after two meetings, took a long adjourned date on the request by the management of DAAR communications, managers of the African Independent Television, to enable them provide the land allocation papers by the State government in 2002, which they failed to provide.

“The committee recommends as follows: that half of one hectare which is about 10.75 plots of land, approximately 4988.8 square metres be allocated to DAAR communications Plc and the remaining hectares be returned back to the Rivers State government”.

The committee’s recommendation adopted by the House of Assembly means Daar Communications is allowed to retain ownership of the space it is immediately using while the Rivers State Government tasks possession of the rest.

The Speaker of the House, Ikuyi Awaji Ibani, however, disclosed that Daar Communications can enter into fresh negotiations with the State Government over the remaining land.

The company reportedly paid N86.1m labeled far below market value to acquire 868 plots,