News
Outcry in Delta over demolition of private properties worth over N30 billion
Residents of Fountain City Estate in Umuodafe community, Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have once again condemned the demolition of their landed properties at various stages of development by the state government.
In a peaceful protest on Thursday the residents under the aegis of Fountain City Landlord/Tenants Association, bewailed the invasion of the over 2,000 hectares of land by government earth moving equipment without prior notice, adding that the properties so far destroyed were worth over N30 billion.
The placard-carrying protesters said the plots of land were legitimately acquired from Umuodafe community, Ibusa, without any encumbrances, adding that they were surprised that the state government was now laying claims to it after they had used their hard-earned money to invest in the place.
Displaying various documents, one of the property owners, Mr Akeem Lasisi, insisted that subscribers of the said land did not violate any government rule on land acquisition.
“Before we bought this land, we made inquiries and the people from the Ministry of Lands and Survey said it was free. That is how I bought mine and brought some of my clients here to buy also.
“We surveyed the land, lodge it and it scaled through. We paid the necessary levies to the government which they acknowledged and gave us lodgement certificates,” Lasisi said.
Another land owner, Mrs Julie Ogbuagwu, a widowed petty trader, said she invested all she had in a plot of land she acquired in 2018.
“I bought an acre of land here in 2018. I am a widow, a petty trader, I have nothing and suddenly, we hear that the government has seized the land with all the money we have spent.
“I don’t know what to do, I don’t know where to start from. Please I am calling on Governor Okowa to help us, I don’t have anywhere to run to. He should help to recover this land,” Ogbuagwu said.
Also, Mr Mustapha Bolaji, a father of three, said he rarely sleeps since the government started demolishing the properties, and appealed to the governor to intervene.
“I borrowed money to add to my life savings to acquire this land. I invested N2.5 million to acquire the land.
“I am having nightmares, I rarely sleep, I sleep in fits and stats, I rarely sleep the normal eight hours a day for a long time now, I have stopped sleeping the normal hours a healthy man is supposed to sleep,” he said.
On his part, Dr Donatus Umeh said about ten of the property owners have so far died of heart attacks as a result of the state government action.
According to Umeh, after duly acquiring the land, they paid four categories of levies to Umuodafe community before they started developing, adding that all their investments have been wiped out by the demolition.
“We have lost ten members to heart breaks as a result of the demolition and we have more members in critical health condition.
“So to avoid more deaths, we are appealing to the Federal Government, the leadership of the National Assembly, the United Nations, Amnesty International and the Human Rights community to intervene in this matter,” Umeh pleased.
But the state government said the vast land was acquired for overriding public interest during the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, adding that because the government was yet to commence development, private individuals have encroached on it.
Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu who reacted to the protest, said the present administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was magnanimous enough to de-acquire half of the land to fast-track development, adding that some individuals still went ahead to continue to encroach on the portion that was not de-acquired.
“In that particular land, the government had long before now acquired the entire expanse of land in that area. The land is quite massive, and since the government has not started development, there was a need to de-acquire part of it and give it back to the community, leaving some part to address the needs of the people for overriding public interest.
“After that was done, a number of persons now want to go beyond the de-acquired land and now begin to eat into the one that was not de-acquired,” he said.
He noted that the private subscribers were expected to go back to Umuodafe since the government had already ceded part of the land to the community when it was de-acquired, rather than keep encroaching on the area that was not de-acquired.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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