A resolution issued last Friday ordered all owners of gardens in Wau to hand over their properties to the state Government.
A committee for screening the gardens was formed at the beginning of January 2012 and carried out a survey of ownership documents provided by owners, Radio Voice of Love reported.State legal affairs minister John Peter Miskin headed the committee. He told the press only 56 people brought their papers although all owners were called to present their documents.
Mr Peter explained that the committee carried out an assessment on the ground and found that most gardens were neglected and became hiding places for criminals causing insecurity in Wau.
He said that the committee recommended to the state council of ministers to take possession of those gardens from their owners.
He added that a technical committee will be formed to set the plan for compensating the owners, so that the removal could take place within 90 days.
Mr Peter said the government will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to change the use of those gardens.
The owners of the gardens are civil society institutes, religious institutions and individuals, who hold them since the time of the British.