Residents of Owerri, whose landed property were destroyed by the State Government, have been paid compensation totaling N85 million, the State Government has said.

The State Commissioner for Lands, Uche Nwosu, said in Owerri on Wednesday that N39 million was paid to owners of houses at Nekede Nworie area; N22 million to land owners at Housing Area; and N14m for property owners at new Owerri Central Market Motor Park.

Owners of demolished churches on Sam Mbakwe road have also received N10m from the ministry. The church owners also got plots of land to rebuild the churches.

Mr. Nwosu added that the ministry plans to acquire more land for government housing scheme, agro allied industries and academic institutions. He promised that all legitimate land owners in the state would soon receive their certificate of occupancy, saying that the ministry had commenced the printing of 50,000 certificates for that purpose.