Edo State’s outgoing Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday recounted how land grabbers illegally reallocated and resold his property in Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Area.
Obaseki shared his experience while commissioning the Edo Built Environment Hub in Benin City.
The newly inaugurated hub encompasses the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development; Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS); Ministry of Roads and Bridges; and the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.
Reflecting on the incident, Obaseki said, “Before I assumed office as governor, my land, which had a government-approved Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), was grabbed and resold by land grabbers.
The new owner even built on it. It’s a dire situation, and we cannot progress under such circumstances.”
He added that the Community Development Associations (CDAs) had monopolized land development processes, requiring developers to make payments at multiple stages, effectively taking control over building regulations.
According to the governor, this personal experience drove his administration’s resolve to implement policies aimed at sanitizing land administration in Edo.
Among these were initiatives to safeguard property rights, enhance the built environment, and position Edo State as a top destination for business and residence.
Obaseki emphasized the significance of land as a valuable asset, noting that under his leadership, over 40,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) had been issued in the last three years—surpassing the 2,000 C of Os issued since the state’s creation.
“Land is Edo State’s greatest asset due to its strategic location, and we must ensure its organization and efficient utilization. Edo is among the richest states in land resources, from swamps and rainforests to savannahs, minerals, and gas reserves,” he explained.
To better manage these resources, Obaseki initiated partnerships to gather comprehensive land data, a move that has since supported Edo’s transformation into a more planned and investor-friendly environment.
Highlighting the strides made over his tenure, Obaseki stated that the government has made significant progress in restoring confidence in the land administration system, thus attracting sustainable investment and fostering prosperity in Edo.
In recognition, he dedicated the EdoGIS building to the late Daniel Omoigui, Nigeria’s first Surveyor-General from Edo State.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate