FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Long-drawn land dispute between former Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and 1,550 victims of demolished structures at Oke-Oroma community in Oredo Local Government Area has been brought to an end.
The state government, through the Ministry of Land and Housing, issued allocation letters to eligible property owners for the return of 2,950 plots.
Speaking to AljazirahNigeria on the action of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Yakubu Musa said the hope of the victims of Oke-Oroma demolition had been restored.
The victims affected by the demolition exercise of September 21, 2022 assembled at the Ministry of Land and Housing where their relevant documents were verified before issuing allocation letters to eligible property owners, marking the reclaiming of their land.
Musa stated that following the approval of Governor Okpebholo to return community lands to the rightful owners, the ministry commenced a one week event to authenticate the true owners of properties.
He said 2,950 plots of land would be returned to 1,550 genuine owners.
“Based on the approval to return the land seized by the 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 the same.
“We have commenced giving out offer letters, as we have about 1,550 beneficiaries that will be given letters to cover 2,950 plots of land,” the commissioner said.
One of the victims, Mr Adebayo Ogenelkhemeh, who spoke after receiving his allocation letter, described Governor Okpebholo as the restorer of lost hope, appreciating him for keeping the promises made during his campaign in 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 number of people here,” he said.
Mrs Onose Onyegbulem, who was also a victim, commended the governor for keeping to his promise of returning the land to them.
“Thank you Governor Okpebholo, thank you for keeping your words of returning our land to us,” Mrs Onyegbulem said.
