Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, has read the riot book to unlawful buildings and land speculators in the state.
He has directed members of the state’s task force for the recovery of government lands to demolish such structures and put an end to land speculation.
The governor inaugurated the task group on Tuesday, revealing that it was formed in response to complaints of widespread and flagrant violations of federal, state, and local government lands across the state by land speculators.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, expressed concern that the government has taken notice of significant breaches into the borders of long-established educational institutions in the state, as well as government joint venture initiatives.
“Even private lands and properties have not been spared in these illegal acquisitions, as many citizens have been dispossessed of their hard-earned assets by the land grabbers.
“Some of these have been partitioned into private estates. If not checked, these actions constitute a prescription for disorder and anarchy; more importantly, they do great damage to the implementation of the development plans of our towns and cities.
“As a remedy, therefore, the government has decided to set up this task force with the following mandates: recover such government land and property; demolish illegal structures erected on the land/property; make recommendations for the prevention of such acts; and implement all other directives bearing on the matter as given by the government from time to time.”
The committee, which is expected to commence work immediately, has Mr. Frank Omare as Chairman, Hon. David Tonwe (Member), Mr. Emmanuel Chinye (Member), Hon. Jaro Egbo (Member), Chief Godspower Asiuwhu (Member), representatives of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, Ministry of Urban Renewal as members, while Mr. Chukwuka Imarhia will serve as a member and secretary of the task force.
Responding on behalf of members of the task force, Mr. Frank Omare thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding members of the task force fit to carry out the job of recovering government land and assured him and all Deltans that they would carry out their functions diligently.