Delta bans illegal fees tagged ‘Deve fee’ at construction sites
The Delta State administration has declared that collecting illegal levies from construction site workers, sometimes known as “Deve fees,” is now punishable by a two-year jail sentence.
In a statement made available to media on Saturday in Asaba, Fred Oghenesivbe, the director-general of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, issued the warning.
The statement warned state community leaders not to allow members of community development committees, associations, or leaders to collect “development fees” at building sites. It further stated that those who violate the legislation face a two-year jail sentence if found guilty.
The warning was issued in a statement provided to media on Saturday in Asaba by Fred Oghenesivbe, the director-general of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau.
According to him, the Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018, is the current legislation that both local authorities and citizens must abide by.
According to him, the Bureau had received multiple complaints about exploitation, which suggested that certain community leaders and their groups were intimidating private property developers in the state.
While serving as speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, he recalled that Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State, oversaw the bill’s approval.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who succeeded Mr. Oborevwori, subsequently signed the bill into law in 2018, he claimed.
Depending on the location and size of the construction structure, some communities, according to Mr. Oghenesivbe, use coercive techniques and sheer force to collect a variety of levies and fees ranging from N200,000 to over N1,000,000.
He declared that anyone who willingly, intentionally, or unintentionally breaks the law will face legal action and, if found guilty, might face a two-year or five-year prison sentence.
He also said that Governor Oborevwori has publicly stated that the collection of any form of levy in Delta had been outlawed.
“The governor said that no individual, community leader or traditional institution is permitted to collect development levies or fees from land developers, either public or private sector.”
Mr. Oghenesivbe gave his word that the governor would keep working nonstop to build infrastructure in all three of the state’s senatorial districts and draw in both domestic and foreign investment.
He urged local authorities to support investors in bringing growth to their towns, villages, and communities by avoiding levies that are currently illegal and against the law.
He quoted the law as prohibiting forceful entry, assault on construction workers and landowners, or trespassing on construction sites without lawful authorisation by the site or building owner, which is illegal and must be avoided.
Unlawful collection of foundation digging fee, building materials and other unscrupulous act or conduct by members of community development committee or association should be stopped forthwith to avoid running against subsisting state laws in force,” he said.
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