The State Taskforce on recovery of illegally acquired government lands has said the 502 hectares of land belonging to Dennis Osadebey University, Anwai-Asaba, is duly gazetted contrary to insinuations that it is not.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Frank Omare, who made the clarification while briefing the press in Asaba on Wednesday, said it was important to set the record straight in view of the widespread condemnation that had trailed the demolition of buildings illegally built on the University land.
“We were told that the Delta State Government does not have a gazette for that land. The government got a gazette as far back as 1996, which was endorsed by the then Military Administrator, Group Capt. Ibrahim Kefas.
“In 2018, our immediate past Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa signed a renewed one when the time elapsed. The government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is not an irresponsible government.
“Mind you, this is the headquarters of our state. If you go to CORE AREA Two B, in the Ibusa axis, land grabbers have sold all the lands in that area. They have even demolished the Federal College of Education (Technical) fence just to develop.
“If you go to Ughelli by the stadium, you can’t even see the stadium again, they have built in front of the stadium. The same thing in Warri, Sapele and Agbor.
“The C of O of that land is here but non of the occupants of that land has a C of O. And we know that the law says that before you dig a foundation of any building, you must get government approval.
“The University authority had partnership with some individuals and companies long ago, so they showed their documents and we have left those persons.
“There is one building still standing there because the owner got a court injunction stopping the Delta State Government from demolishing the house and we have left the building because we respect the law.
“As a PDP government, we have some of our members affected, some are APC and Labour Party members, but this job is not about party. It is about the law. Delta State Government is not an enemy to anybody”, the Taskforce Chairman explained.
Chief Omare said an investor almost fell victim of N90 million fraud until he saw the demolition going on at the Musa Camp.
He added that the State Head of Service was dealing with the issue of some government officials who gave building approvals for government lands.
“So we still have a lot of task ahead of us. Today is the turn of Dennis Osadebey University Anwai-Asaba, tomorrow may be the turn of Warri, Sapele or Ughelli”, he sai
OKOWA Vs EFCC: Ex-Governor’s One-time Spokesperson Writes On The Facts, The...