Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State House of Assembly has commenced investigation into the activities of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA.
The Chairman of House Committee on ECTDA, Hon. Chima Obieze, who addressed newsmen after the first interface with the leadership of the Agency in the Assembly Complex, said the exercise was to ensure that the regulatory body is working in compliance with the provisions of the law and in tandem with the vision of the current administration.
Obieze, who represents Ezeagu state constituency promised that the committee would also look into some of the complaints that came in the way of petitions.
“The committee will give all parties opportunity to present and defend their positions and the outcome of our investigation be made public.
“Today, we have commence an investigation into the activities of Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority ECTDA) following the receipt of some petitions and the accompanying public outcry.
“While we understand the need for property developers in the state to comply with the stipulations of the law, we also deemed it fit to find out if the agency has fully complied with the law in the exercise of their powers.
“At the end of this investigation, we intend to find out whether the people that are complaining about their properties being demolished have acted in accordance with the law or whether the agency has acted ultra vires or used their powers wrongly,” Obieze said.
According to him, Governor Peter Mbah had made it very clear that Enugu state was open to investment and then he intends to grow the state’s GDP from the current $4.4bn to $30bn.
“This can’t be achieved without foreign investment, thus we encourage investors to come in and we want to ensure that everything we do is in accordance with the law and people who have genuine documents to properties and using same to do business are safe.
Commenting on the first petition from Breathe Restaurant and Lounge against the ECTDA, Obieze said their investigation would be completed timely, adding that none of parties should entertain any fear.
“Our investigation will be completed within 2-3 weeks and the report will be sent to the general House and also to the Executive.
“If the complainants or the agency is found guilty, it will be stipulated so that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the offender.
The management of ECTDA led by Hon. Uche Anya was present in the house to make clarifications and respond to the allegations made by Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, the CEO of Breathe Restaurant and Lounge who was also present.
