In a decisive move to uphold urban development and combat land grabbing, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged to enforce the Benin City Master Plan and reclaim lands wrongfully seized. Speaking at a workshop, he highlighted the State’s rich history of organized land management, tracing back to the Benin Empire’s well-ordered system respected by visitors like the Portuguese centuries ago.
Obaseki criticized the disruption of this system by land grabbers and the failure of past governments to address the issue. He honored the State’s last comprehensive plan under Governor Samuel Ogbemudia and vowed to rectify past oversights by prosecuting land grabbers and restoring lands to their legitimate owners.
The Governor condemned illegal constructions on waterways and promised a 30-year master plan for Edo’s future. He called on residents to register their lands in line with the master plan and secure their ownership with proper documentation to avoid falling victim to land grabbers.
The workshop also covered the Edo New Town Project, emphasizing the government’s proactive steps in reclaiming a vast expanse of land for its development, marking a significant stride towards structured urban growth and sustainable development in Edo State.
He urged the other attendees and traditional leaders of the different communities in attendance to assist the government in ending the threat of land grabbing in the State.
The goal of the Edo State New Town project is to clear the city center and make room for development on Benin City’s outskirts, according to a presentation made earlier by Mrs. Isoken Omo, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development.
The New Town Project will serve as a model for the development of other areas, she said.
She gave the chiefs and other attendees her word that her ministry would put forth great effort to see that the Benin City Master Plan’s objectives and the Edo New Town Project come to pass.
She outlined the master plan’s subsequent steps, which are to register a new layout for integration, enlist development partners for the new town pilot, and launch a campaign to raise awareness of land registration.
According to Mr. Ali Ajazi, a consultant for Siraj Nigeria limited and a representative on the Benin City Master Plan project, their research showed that, among other reasons, the failure of earlier master plans in Edo State was caused by a lack of political will, a weak institutional framework, and an unclear financing strategy.
Governor Obaseki was praised by attendees for his support of the Benin City Master Plan and his unwavering fight against land grabbing in the State. They implored the State Government to maintain the participation of the stakeholders and expand the developmental plans to encompass additional State senatorial districts.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, traditional leaders (Enigie) of more than twenty communities, building industry professionals, commissioners, and permanent secretaries.
