By Maurice Osaro
Residents of Oke-Oroma community are celebrating as the Edo State government begins returning 2,950 plots of land to rightful owners, ending a long-standing dispute that began with the demolition of homes in September 2022.
The demolition, carried out during former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, affected around 1,550 residents, leaving many pensioners and homeowners devastated.
The lands, originally part of the Ogba Forest Reserve and acquired in 2017 for a new town project, had reportedly been encroached upon by land speculators.
Governor Okpebholo, who had promised during his campaign to restore the seized properties, fulfilled his pledge by setting up a committee led by Dr. Tony Ikpasaja to verify ownership documents.
The government has now commenced issuing allocation letters to verified owners, with surveyors marking plots and bulldozers preparing the land for handover.
The former Commissioner for Land and Housing, Yakubu Musa, noted this exercise restores hope to residents who thought they had lost their investments.
“It demonstrates governance with a human face.”
Beneficiaries, led by community coordinator Collins Ojo, expressed gratitude to the governor for ensuring justice and fairness, calling the move a major relief for families whose homes and properties were lost.
The initiative has not only resolved a prolonged land dispute but also highlighted the government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and the welfare of Edo citizens.
