Delta demolishes illegal buildings on govt land

The Delta State Government has commenced the demolition of illegal structures built on lands belonging to Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai-Asaba.

The properties built around the Musa Camp area were demolished by the Delta State Taskforce on Recovery of Government Lands led by its chairman, Frank Omare, on Monday, May 13, 2024.

The demolition of the properties followed the expiration of the notice issued to the illegal property owners to vacate the land.

Speaking to journalists during the demolition exercise, Omare who was flanked by members of the taskforce, said they were mandated by the state government to recover all government lands illegally occupied by individuals or corporate bodies across the state.

Omare said: “Clearly where we are now is the university land and it is meant for the Faculty of Agriculture of Dennis Osadebay University, more than 1,000 persons have encroached the land and built illegal structures amidst all manner of illegal approvals.

“We gave them notice to vacate the land since five months ago. We were patient enough to go round informing them so that tomorrow they will not say they were not given enough notice.

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“So whatever you are seeing here is a determination of government of Delta State to bring about rule of law and to respect the laws of the land because we cannot allow land grabbers to begin to sell all kinds of lands.

“This is just a starting point because ‘the falling away of the yellow leaves is a warning to the green ones’. At Federal College of Education Technical Asaba, those who have built there illegally, we are coming for them.

“At opposite Ughelli Township Stadium, we are also coming for them, Warri, Sapele, Agbor, and Patani are also involved so if you know you have built on government land please begin to pack out.”

He said nobody can blackmail the government with non-issuance of notice, adding: “We gave them adequate information, we have had town hall meetings with them.

“We have been able to also get a few illegal approvals given out by government officials on government lands. It is satanic because you cannot get a building approval on a land belonging to government. This is about the law and we must protect the law”.

He, therefore, warned land grabbers across Delta State to stay away from government lands.

On complains by students living on the demolished properties, Omare said their supposed landlords ought to have informed them, adding that some rogue landlords collected a year rent from some students even after they have been given notice to leave the area.

He said the university management has provided alternative accommodation arrangements for the affected students.

The Star