The Edo State Government on Friday reiterated its commitment to returning disputed land to the indigenes of Oke Oroma Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, on completion of the layout process.
The Commissioner of Land and Housing, Vincent Uwadia, led an inspection team to monitor the progress of the land return efforts, following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s directives to fast-track the layout completion process.
While reaffirming the legitimacy of the governor’s promises, Uwadia expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the layout work currently being carried out by state surveyors, assuring that the government would stand by its decision.
He stressed the need for regular inspections to monitor progress and ensure timely completion, saying, “We are happy with what we have seen on the ground and the work is going on well. We are very impressed.
“From time to time we have to be coming more regularly than we used to do so that within a short period we should be able to return the land to the people.
“I want you to know that the government is committed to returning the land as soon as the layout is completed.”
Reacting to the inspection tour, the head of the community, Pa Gaius Emokpae, praised the government’s efforts at ensuring peace, assuring the governor of the community’s continued support.
He was represented by Owie Festus Daniel, the Community Public Relations Officer, and Osasco Osadolor, Assistant Secretary of the community, who delivered his message.
While recalling the community’s previous request for the return of their ancestral land, Emokpae stressed the need for the government to fulfil the request.
He also commended the governor for recently distributing equipment and tractors to all local government areas, adding that the community would explore reaching out to the chairman of Ikpoba-Okha to solicit his help in fast-tracking the layout process.
This was the third visit by Uwadia since taking over the portfolio in recent weeks, which the community described as commendable, noting that Governor Okpebholo’s priority was to oversee the return of the land to the indigenous owners, as he had promised during his campaign in the area.
Uwadia was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Edo State Commissioner of Security, Festus Ebea, alongside the Chief Security Officer to the state governor.
The PUNCH on January 23 reported that the Edo State Government had begun issuing allocation letters to eligible property owners for the return of 2,950 plots at Oke-Oroma Community, Benin.
It brought to an end the long-drawn land dispute between the former Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and 1,550 victims of demolished structures at the community.
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