Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has revealed plans to investigate the demolition of over 100 houses that took place under the leadership of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. The demolition, which occurred in October 2022, affected communities such as Oke-Oroma, Irhirhi-Obazagbon, and Ogheghe, leaving thousands of residents homeless and causing the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
Governor Okpebholo visited these communities recently, two years after the demolition, and announced his decision to set up a Commission of Inquiry. This panel will look into why the demolition occurred and the acquisition of the land by the previous government, aiming to provide a clear explanation and determine the next steps for the affected residents.
During his visit, the governor emphasized that his administration is committed to fairness and justice. He reminded the residents of his campaign promise to investigate the issue and ensure that the land is returned to its rightful owners. Okpebholo reassured the people that his government stands against injustice and is committed to addressing their concerns.
“In the next few days, I will invite you to the Government House and back it up with actions.
“A few days from now, we will set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into this land issue so that we can return your lands to you after the findings.
“We will check if the C of O is already issued on the lands belonging to the people. If there is and the reports say so, I will revoke them and return the lands to the people.
“As a government, our responsibility is to provide security. I will speak with the appropriate authorities in charge of security. Security personnel will come in here and restore peace,” he said.
In 2017, the Obaseki government acquired 1,229 hectares of land, which was intended to be developed into a new city called “Coral City.” However, many residents argue that they legally purchased the land and were unfairly displaced. At a press conference in 2022, the former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, explained that the government had marked 106 structures for demolition, but only 24 would be used for government offices.
Governor Okpebholo’s inquiry aims to investigate the legitimacy of the land acquisition, the demolition, and what will be done to ensure justice for the affected people. His administration is committed to listening to the voices of the residents and finding a fair resolution to this ongoing issue.
Recall also that in one of the engagements with the developer of the Coral City project in 2023 said, “Our financing partners would make this possible, as we estimate about N20 billion to cover the first phase of infrastructure, which is about 13.3km, and other things we are expecting would be ready within six to nine months.”
