ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government says the lands and property enumeration it has embarked upon is not a means to collect taxes from residents.
The government flagged off the property and lands enumeration in Yenagoa, the state capital and its environs on Monday.
The government declared that the exercise was for the purpose of proper planning and economic growth in the state.
The state government, through the Bayelsa State Geographic Information System (BGIS), however, denied that the exercise was designed for tax collection.
It insisted that the exercise was to further promote the urban renewal project of the present administration in the state and that it would last for three months.
Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, while speaking during the commencement of the exercise at the BGIS headquarters, said the property enumeration was long overdue in the state to assist in accurate planning and growth.
Ewhrudjakpo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Esau Andrew, noted that the exercise would be the first attempt by the state to get the accurate data of properties in the state capital
“For Bayelsa to achieve greatness, it must get the accurate data needed for growth,” the deputy governor said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the BGIS, Igo Assembly Goin, said the land and property enumeration was the answer to years of yearnings for accurate data for planning, socio-economic activities and development.
He stated: “The exercise is to correct the shortfalls noticed in the needed accurate data of the state. “The property and land enumeration exercise is meant to create database for lands and property, break old records and create new ones. The exercise is basically a property and land assessment project which seeks to provide accurate and up-to-date information on lands and properties in the urban towns across the state for planning and development.
“It will further facilitate the urban renewal programme of the present administration.”