Ogun Govt Denies Demanding N7.5b From Navy for Donated Land

Ogun State Government has denied reports that Governor Dapo Abiodun demanded N7.5 billion from the Nigerian Navy after handing over 100 hectares of land for a naval base.

According to a statement by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, the Nigerian Navy had requested land from the State Government to build a Forward Operating Base and dockyard, and a committee was set up to actualise the request.

The committee allocated 100 hectares of land, and a provisional survey was prepared indicating the geographical location and supposed allocation cost, which was N7.5 billion. However, Governor Abiodun directed that the land be granted to the Navy free of charge, exercising his powers with national security imperatives in mind.

According to the statement,  a Certificate of Occupancy was signed, and the document was registered at the Abeokuta Land Registry.

However, a report earlier by Peoples Gazette stated that the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, had demanded to the tune of N7.5 billion from the Nigerian Navy, some days after a “generous donation” of  100 hectares for the construction of the naval operating base and dockyard in Abigi.

Recall the declaration by the governor drew wide applause, including from the Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle, who praised the “generous donation” of the land sitting within the Olokola Free Trade Zone. He called on other governors to emulate Abiodun and rise to the challenge of national security.

However, according to the report, Governor Abiodun presented a land survey and not a final land allocation document to the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla.

Documents seen by Peoples Gazette showed that the Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey had sent payment advice to the Nigerian Navy on August 8, demanding N7.5 billion before issuing a certificate of occupancy.

The infrastructural development fee was N750 million, a capital contribution amounting to N2.25 billion, and a premium consideration of N4.5 billion. An annual ground rent of N20 million was also stipulated with some other miscellaneous charges.

This, according to naval sources, is quite surprising and frustrating, given that Abiodun has given the impression that the land would be provided at no cost.

Accroding to reports, the land had been allocated to the Navy during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, now Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, they continued.

This was further complicated by a letter in 2018 that established that the land has been under the custody of the Nigerian Navy since before Abiodun assumed office in 2019.

The letter, titled “Authority to Oversee Nigerian Navy Land at Ogun Waterside,” mandated the Navy to oversee the property, although development was stalled due to a lack of federal funding.

The naval base, with its backup to the dockyard, would have been an essential factor in boosting security and infrastructural development in Abigi, a far-flung community with low land values.

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