Caution! See Why Delta Govt May Jail Community Leaders, Residents

The Delta State Government has reiterated its stance on the illegality of collecting development levies or fees at construction sites, warning community leaders and residents to desist from the practice.

The Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018, which was passed during the tenure of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and signed into law, explicitly prohibits the collection of such levies and prescribes penalties for violators.

According to Dr. Fred Latimore, Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, the government has received numerous complaints about community leaders and members of Community Development Associations exploiting property developers by collecting illegal levies and fees.

These levies, which range from N200,000 to over N1,000,000, are often collected using coercive strategies and brute force.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who presided over the passage of the bill as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has emphasized his commitment to attracting investors and developing infrastructure across the state.

He has appealed to community leaders to support these efforts by refraining from illegal activities that discourage investors and hinder development.

The government has warned that violators of the law will be prosecuted and risk imprisonment or fines.

Specifically, Section 13(1) and (2) of the law prescribes two years imprisonment or a N1 million fine for violators, while Section 11(1)(a-c) and 2(a) & (b) prohibits the sale of landed property to more than one person and prescribes five years imprisonment upon conviction.

The government has urged residents to report any instances of illegal levy collection to the authorities, emphasising its commitment to enforcing the law and protecting property developers from exploitation.