Chiefs in Tamale have welcomed the inauguration of a five member committee by the Northern Regional Security council to investigate allegations of illegal sale of state lands in the Tamale Metropolitan assembly and Sagnerigu District.

Rising tensions, and accusations from chiefs over alleged illegal sale of state lands to private developers in the two assemblies necessitated the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna to inaugurate the five-member fact-finding committee chaired by  principal state Attorney, Salia Abdul Kudos to look in to the allegations.

The committee has up to the first week of March to submit its report to the Northern Regional Security Council.

The Committee has been charged among other responsibilities to ascertain the veracity of allegations and determine the extent of the practice as well as recommend measures to deal with the illegal sale.

Spokesperson of the paramount chief of Tamale  Saha-Na Alhaji Latif Alhassan told Joy news after the inauguration of the committee that traditional authorities in Tamale have welcomed the bold initiative by the minister to investigate the matter.

He said the youth of Tamale were on the verge of hitting the street to protest the illegal sale of state lands but they had to calm them down and lodge a complaint to the Northern Regional Minister who promised to look into the matter.

Saha-Na Alhaji Latif Alhassan appealed to members of the committee to do a diligent work to ensure that the situation is brought under control.

Inaugurating the committee Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna advised the committee to approach its work with due diligence and be passionate in tackling issues and come out with a report that would serve the interest of the nation other than individuals.

He said he has ordered developers who were developing on state lands that were in contention to stop work until the committee finished its work.

Chairman of the committee, Salia Abdul Kudus, assured the minister that the committee would carry out its work as fair minded people to ensure that the nation’s interest was served.