In a bid to resolve the ongoing Oke-Oroma land dispute, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the formation of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Governor Okpebholo made the announcement during a meeting with community leaders, residents, and those affected by the demolition of properties in the Oke-Oroma community, located in Benin City, the state capital.
Accompanied by his Deputy, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, the Governor expressed his commitment to ensuring justice for the people of Oke-Oroma.
“I made a promise to you during my campaign, and today, I am fulfilling that promise. We will not allow injustice to prevail under this administration. We are here to listen to your concerns and take necessary actions to address them,” Governor Okpebholo stated.
The chief press secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in a statement issued on Tuesday quoted him to have assured the community that the Commission of Inquiry would investigate the claims surrounding the disputed land and make recommendations based on the findings. He also emphasized that should the inquiry confirm that the lands rightfully belong to the community, any Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) issued to other individuals would be revoked and the land returned to its rightful owners.
“Peace and security are paramount to this government. I will ensure that the appropriate security forces are deployed to restore peace to the area,” the Governor added, calling on the people to maintain peace while the investigation is carried out.
The Governor also promised to invite representatives from the affected communities to the Government House for further discussions, as part of his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling the issue.
The announcement was welcomed by many in the community, who have been seeking a resolution to the land dispute for years. With the formation of the Commission of Inquiry, the people of Oke-Oroma are hopeful that the issue will be addressed fairly and expeditiously.
The Governor’s intervention is a significant step toward resolving the long-standing conflict, and the Commission of Inquiry is expected to begin its work soon.