A new community-led initiative in Rivers State promises to deliver a major blow to the rampant issues of land grabbing and fraudulent land sales. The Alesa community in Eleme Local Government Area has officially inaugurated a government-approved Land Development Committee, a move hailed as a potential model for the entire state.
A New Dawn for Land Security in Alesa
On December 5, 2025, the Paramount Ruler of Alesa, His Royal Highness, King (Emperor) JD Mkpe, inaugurated the Alesa Land Development Committee (ALDEC). The committee is chaired by a prominent businessman and community pillar, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka. This system, born from years of severe challenges with armed land grabbers often backed by security agencies, aims to return control and sanity to land transactions within the community.
King Mkpe, a leader respected for his commitment to peace and development, condemned the sharp practices that have plagued the area. He highlighted specific problems, including persons selling land without the owner's knowledge and minors illegally disposing of family property. "Because we have got a lot of information about the sale of land... other persons will go into another person's land and sell without the owner's notice," the monarch stated during the inauguration ceremony.
How the Committee Will Operate and Enforce Rules
The ALDEC is established as the central authority for all land dealings in Alesa. Its primary mandate is to vet and document every sale, ensuring legitimacy and protecting both buyers and sellers. The committee will maintain a dedicated office where all vital documents, including site plans, will be securely stored for future reference and to prevent resale of properties without heirs' consent.
The paramount ruler issued a stern warning: any sale conducted without the committee's knowledge and consent is done at the seller's own risk. He explicitly told land grabbers to steer clear, promising decisive action if they are caught. Furthermore, the committee will actively protect government-owned lands within the community from encroachment.
A significant advantage for investors is the committee's partnership with the Rivers State government. This collaboration ensures that buyers who follow the due process facilitated by ALDEC will be supported all the way to obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), the ultimate proof of land ownership in Nigeria.
Community and Investor Backing for the Initiative
The inauguration event witnessed a massive turnout from the cosmopolitan Alesa community, which hosts the Port Harcourt Refineries. Community leaders, including youth representative Director Osarokote Benson, women leader Blessing Wuwu, former councillor Humphrey Dada Obele, and other rulers like Okenwii, voiced strong support for the scheme.
Chairman Emmanuel Olaka assured that the committee's goal is community development, not to hinder it. "This committee was formed because... some investors were trying to de-market Alesa... We will always support investors to do what is right," he promised.
The model draws inspiration from successful local equity partnerships. The community referenced the precedent set by host communities of Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals and the "Mayor Formula" by My-ACE China, the Mayor of Housing. His company, Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, granted Aboriginal landowners 10% equity through CSR for the upcoming Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City project. China commended Alesa for leading the war against land fraud and urged other communities to adopt similar committees swiftly.
This pioneering move in Alesa, a critical economic hub, is now being watched as a potential blueprint to finally curb land-related crises across Rivers State.
