Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
Delta State Government has been called upon to always pay commensurate compensation to owners of landed properties taken over by the Government for development.
This call was made by Engr. Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, National President , Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD)at a press briefing in Warri, he said that Prince Collins Eselomo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain did not intend to call the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori a land grabber.
Engr. Igbini, former Director General, Direct Labour Agency (DLA )appeal to the State Government was in reaction to a comment from Prince Eselemo who earlier allegedly attacked the State Governor Rt Honorable Sheriff Oborevwori calling him a land grabber..
Prince Eselemo ‘s remark has since triggered series of responses from spokespersons of the Delta State Government.
Mr. Igbini said the attack on the Governor was unnecessary adding that the Governor did not grab any land from the Eselemo family as the said transaction took place long before Governor Oborevwori took over the mantle of leadership in the State
Mr. Igbini further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to look into the issues presented by Prince Collins Eselemo critically with a view to pay the family adequate compensation for their property.
He stated that as a concern Deltan he was only interested in the peace of the state.
Giving details, Mr. Igbini said that when the said land was trespassed many years ago by the Delta State Government, Governor Oborevwori was not the Governor but it was former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, adding ,” such use of language was borne out of annoyance on the part of Prince Collins Eselemo as he did not intend to utter such words”
According to former Director General of Direct Labour Agency, ‘the land in question has Certificate of Occupancy(C/O) which was issued by the defunct Bendel State Government on 21st September, 1979 to Eselemo Transport Ltd signed by the then Military Administrator, Brigadier Abubakar Waziri, acting Governor with the appropriate signatories of witnesses from both sides. However, sometime in the month of October 2009, the Management of DESOPADEC under the leadership of Chief Dr. Wellington Okrika, then Executive Chairman of Commission, trespassed the said land and constructed a block of classrooms- which now sparked off protest from Prince Collins Eselemo on behalf of Eselemo’s family who are the owner of Eselemo Transport Ltd.
“Against this backdrop, Eselemo Transport Ltd, through Prince Eselemo demanded the sum of two hundred million naira( N200,000,000)as compensation under former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Chief Dr. Wellington Okrika did not want legal battle between the government and Eselemo hence, they settled the matter amicably through the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Asaba under Commissioner Hon. Raymos Guana who really acknowledged the trespass and seventy-five million naira (N75,000,000:00) compensation was paid to Eselemo Transport Ltd, with the sum of N75,000,000 (after 10% deduction) out of N200,000,000 for two Acres which DESOPADEC encroached upon from the total of 33.42 Hectares of the land. But to Eselemo, it was two Hectares that DESOPADEC really encroached on in the land.
“What must have caused recent brawl between the Delta State Government under Governor Oborevwori and Eselemo Transport Ltd which Prince Collins Eselemo stands for, may not be unconnected with the fact that, Prince Collins Eselemo has asked the State Government to pay the balance of one hundred and twenty five million naira(N125, 000,000) which was earlier demanded as compensation for the land.”
Mr. Igbini then called on Governor Oborevwori to be large hearted enough to wade into the issue by also providing another good land for Dr. Prosper Orezimena who intended to establish a specialized health facility in Jesus Is Lord/Airoboyi Close connecting Jakpa Road to Refinery Road or commensurate compensation to both Prince Eselemo and the doctor.
Delta State Government has been called upon to always pay commensurate compensation to owners of landed properties taken over by the Government for development.
This call was made by Engr. Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, National President , Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD)at a press briefing in Warri, he said that Prince Collins Eselomo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain did not intend to call the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori a land grabber.
Engr. Igbini, former Director General, Direct Labour Agency (DLA )appeal to the State Government was in reaction to a comment from Prince Eselemo who earlier allegedly attacked the State Governor Rt Honorable Sheriff Oborevwori calling him a land grabber..
Prince Eselemo ‘s remark has since triggered series of responses from spokespersons of the Delta State Government.
Mr. Igbini said the attack on the Governor was unnecessary adding that the Governor did not grab any land from the Eselemo family as the said transaction took place long before Governor Oborevwori took over the mantle of leadership in the State
Mr. Igbini further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to look into the issues presented by Prince Collins Eselemo critically with a view to pay the family adequate compensation for their property.
He stated that as a concern Deltan he was only interested in the peace of the state.
Giving details, Mr. Igbini said that when the said land was trespassed many years ago by the Delta State Government, Governor Oborevwori was not the Governor but it was former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, adding ,” such use of language was borne out of annoyance on the part of Prince Collins Eselemo as he did not intend to utter such words”
According to former Director General of Direct Labour Agency, ‘the land in question has Certificate of Occupancy(C/O) which was issued by the defunct Bendel State Government on 21st September, 1979 to Eselemo Transport Ltd signed by the then Military Administrator, Brigadier Abubakar Waziri, acting Governor with the appropriate signatories of witnesses from both sides. However, sometime in the month of October 2009, the Management of DESOPADEC under the leadership of Chief Dr. Wellington Okrika, then Executive Chairman of Commission, trespassed the said land and constructed a block of classrooms- which now sparked off protest from Prince Collins Eselemo on behalf of Eselemo’s family who are the owner of Eselemo Transport Ltd.
“Against this backdrop, Eselemo Transport Ltd, through Prince Eselemo demanded the sum of two hundred million naira( N200,000,000)as compensation under former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Chief Dr. Wellington Okrika did not want legal battle between the government and Eselemo hence, they settled the matter amicably through the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Asaba under Commissioner Hon. Raymos Guana who really acknowledged the trespass and seventy-five million naira (N75,000,000:00) compensation was paid to Eselemo Transport Ltd, with the sum of N75,000,000 (after 10% deduction) out of N200,000,000 for two Acres which DESOPADEC encroached upon from the total of 33.42 Hectares of the land. But to Eselemo, it was two Hectares that DESOPADEC really encroached on in the land.
“What must have caused recent brawl between the Delta State Government under Governor Oborevwori and Eselemo Transport Ltd which Prince Collins Eselemo stands for, may not be unconnected with the fact that, Prince Collins Eselemo has asked the State Government to pay the balance of one hundred and twenty five million naira(N125, 000,000) which was earlier demanded as compensation for the land.”
Mr. Igbini then called on Governor Oborevwori to be large hearted enough to wade into the issue by also providing another good land for Dr. Prosper Orezimena who intended to establish a specialized health facility in Jesus Is Lord/Airoboyi Close connecting Jakpa Road to Refinery Road or commensurate compensation to both Prince Eselemo and the doctor.
