A property owner in Ojira, Otukpo, has raised concerns after individuals allegedly demanded matching ground money before renovation work could begin on a family house. Julie Okoh Abah, in a social media post on Saturday, said the property, which belonged to her late father, had fallen into disrepair and required renovation or restructuring.
According to her, some persons approached the site that morning and insisted that matching ground money must be paid before any work could commence. She expressed frustration that the demand was being made over a house in which she had grown up, and pointed out that there is a law in Benue State prohibiting the practice of matching ground money.
Matching ground money refers to informal payments sometimes demanded by local groups or individuals before construction or renovation activities are allowed to proceed. The Benue State Government has in the past taken steps to curb such practices through legislation aimed at protecting property owners and promoting lawful development.
As of the time of the report, no official response from local authorities or security agencies regarding the specific incident in Ojira had been made public. The property owner’s complaint highlights ongoing challenges faced by residents seeking to maintain or improve family properties in parts of Otukpo.
