An opinion leader in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Dr. Tony Chuku, has called for a stakeholders’ confab to address the growing challenges of land grabbing, multiple taxation and other development issues confronting the council area.
Chuku, the Traditional Prime Minister of Woji Community and a former councillor in the first Obio-Akpor Legislative Assembly between 1991 and 1993, attributed the prevalence of land grabbing to what he described as the irresponsibility of some paramount rulers and community leaders.
In a statement made available to journalists, he described land grabbing as an age-long challenge in the area, involving deliberate attempts to dispossess individuals of their property through manipulation, intimidation and brute force, particularly targeting vulnerable persons.
According to him, some traditional rulers and community leaders allegedly encourage land grabbing by supporting individuals who lay claim to properties that had previously been sold by members of their families.
“Most often than not, some irresponsible Ezes, Paramount Rulers would shamelessly instigate these criminals, and this is very common now, to maliciously lay strong claim to a property which does not belong to them,” he said.
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Chuku alleged that in some cases, when land disputes are brought before traditional institutions for settlement, the rightful owners are allegedly compelled to pay large sums of money to claimants or risk losing their properties.
He warned that the practice had created an environment where “might is right and weakness is slavery,” adding that land grabbing had evolved into a complex network involving intimidation, violence and, in some cases, assassination.
He further alleged that perpetrators often rely on the support or protection of some state actors, institutions, traditional rulers, youth leaders and influential community stakeholders.
To address the menace, Chuku urged the Obio-Akpor Local Government Council to establish a functional office headed by an officer of Grade Level 13 or above to receive and document complaints relating to land grabbing and other property disputes.
He recommended that the officer collate such complaints and present them to a standing or ad hoc committee of five or seven members to be constituted and inaugurated by the council chairman.
The traditional prime minister also proposed the establishment of a central joint committee comprising presidents and chairmen of youth associations and community development committees across Obio-Akpor.
According to him, the committee should meet regularly with the council chairman, relevant stakeholders and government agencies to deliberate on security, youth and community development, education, skills acquisition and the general wellbeing of residents.
On the proposed Obio-Akpor Tenement Rate Administration Bill, 2026, Chuku called for greater consultation and fairness in the formulation and implementation of tax policies.
He described tenement rate as an important source of revenue for local government development but stressed that its administration must be equitable and progressive.
Chuku criticised the frequent use of task forces for revenue collection, arguing that some members lack the experience, character and modern methods required for effective tax administration.
He urged the council to ensure that any rate contained in the proposed bylaws is equitable and responsive to the economic realities of residents.
He said the lawmakers should consider the amount to be levied, the basis of assessment, the economic circumstances of taxpayers, authorised collectors, methods of collection and the cost of administering the levy.
Chuku also expressed concern over the poor attendance at the public hearing on the proposed bylaws by the 10th Obio-Akpor Legislative Assembly, attributing it to inadequate public information and mobilisation.
He consequently urged the 10th Legislative Assembly to prevail on the council chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu, to immediately convene a stakeholders’ confab involving paramount rulers and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and chart a sustainable path forward for the local government area.
