• Returns confiscated 2,950 plots
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
The Senator Monday Okpebholo led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of Edo State, has finally rescued victims of demolished structures in a long-running land dispute in Oke-Oroma Village, a suburb of Benin City, the State Capital.
Thus ending the hitherto unresolved dispute between the former governor Godwin Obaseki led administration, and the 1,550 victims of demolished structures at the Village.
The Okpebholo’s administration through the Ministry of land and Housing began the issuing of allocation letters to eligible and genuine property owners, for the return of 2,950 plots.
The Commissioner for land and Housing Hon.Yakubu Musa disclosed this in Benin City while speaking to journalists saying the hopes of victims have been restored.
Government began the process of eligible property owners reclaiming their hitherto confiscated land; when victims gathered at the State Ministry of Land and Housing for the verification of relevant documents, and issuances of allocation letters.
The Obaseki led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration carried out the demolition of the structures on September 21st, 2022.
Commissioner Musa told journalists that the Ministry was acting on the directive and approval of the Governor to return Oke-Oroma village land to the rightful owners.
Hence it commenced a one week exercise to verify true owners of properties in the village.
Reiterating the lost hopes of the people has been restored, he disclosed that 2,950 plots of land will be returned to 1,550 genuine owners at Oke-Oroma village.
“Based on the approval of Gov Okpebholo to return the land seized by previous administration at Oke-Oroma to developers, and property owners; we commenced a one week exercise to authenticate true owners of the land and return same.
“We have commenced giving out the offer letters as we have about 1,550 beneficiaries that will be given letters to cover 2,950 plots of land.
“While distributing offer letters to beneficiaries, surveyors have started working on the land to physically demarcate the plots while bulldozers are already cleaning the plots and by next week plots will be given back to the genuine owners.
“We commend the Governor for showing that governance has a human face. Gov Okpebholo has brought joy to the heart of the people of Oke-Oroma Community who thought they had lost all their investments.
“He promised during the electioneering campaign that he would return the land to genuine owners and that process has already commenced.
“This exercise has shown that Governor Okpebholo truly loves Edo people as he ensured justice is served for the people of the community.”
One of the victims of the demolition exercise, Adebayo Benjamin Ogenelkhemeh who spoke with journalists after receiving his allocation letter described Governor Okpebholo as the restorer of lost hope, while appreciating him for keeping his promises with the people during his campaign to the area.
“I am here at the Ministry of land and Housing regarding our landed property forcefully taken by the previous administration.
“We are here to go through the process of reclaiming our land. The process is very smooth and orderly despite the large numbers of people here.
“I want to thank the Governor who is a promise keeper, he said he will do it and today he has done it, I have received my allocation letter.
“I have lost hope of getting back my land after it was forcefully taken by the previous administration of Obaseki, I thought all hope was lost but Gov Okpebholo restored that hope”.
Mrs. Onose Onyegbulem who was also a victim commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for keeping to his promises of returning the land back to them.
“Thank you Governor Okpebholo, thank you for keeping your words of returning our land to us.”
In the same vein, Efe Kennedy Ewemade another victim said September 21st, 2022 was a sad day for the people of Oke-Oroma Community as their properties were illegally demolished and land seized by the Godwin Obaseki led administration.
He noted that the incident has resulted in the loss of lives of victims and some others who embarked on a peaceful protest were arrested by the administration of Godwin Obaseki for protesting illegal demolition of their properties.
“A lot of us lose our lives and peaceful protesters were arrested and spent six weeks in prison. We lived with this oppression all through these years but God sent Gov Okpebholo to rescue us from our years of plight.
“When the Governor heard our issues he promised to step in assuring us that when he becomes Governor he will return our land back to us.
“I am glad today, that what was like a dream, is now a reality. Our land is being returned back to us. God used Governor Okpebholo to wipe our tears”.
