Convert forfeited properties into public use- Reps to FG

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to allocate abandoned and forfeited properties both within and outside the country for public use.
The House resolution was sequel to a motion by Hon Esosa Iyawe, Representative of Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo State.
Presenting the motion, Iyawe noted “That Asset recovery is a powerful but underutilized tool against domestic and international corruption, and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act provides a robust legal framework for managing and recovering such proceeds.”
He further noted that the Federal Government, through a directorate, has the power to allocate permanently forfeited property to security and other government agencies.
He said, in a bid to reduce high expenditure on rent and office buildings in 2017, the Federal Government converted landed properties forfeited through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for office use by some agencies of government, thus, saving the country about N180 billion.
He expressed concern that government agencies operating in states across the country are experiencing challenges in getting office accommodation due to difficulties in paying rent.
Hon Iyawe said reports have revealed that over 50 assets confiscated from politically exposed persons, civil servants, and other individuals are currently unoccupied and rotting away.
Following the motion, the House urged the federal government to renovate and convert permanently forfeited lands and buildings into offices for federal government agencies operating from rented offices.
The House also mandated its Committee on Public Assets to ensure compliance.