… Govt to pay compensation for lands acquired
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]fforts by the Obaseki administration to deliver affordable housing to residents in Edo State is becoming a reality, as land clearing and mapping have commenced for the development of the 1800-unit housing project by the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA).The project, being developed in Egba Community, off Upper Sopkonba Road, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State is a joint venture partnership with real estate firm, MIXTA Africa.
Executive Chairman, EDPA, Ms. Isoken Omo, who was at the project site to monitor the commencement of work, at the weekend, told journalists that the state government will not relent in realising the project to provide affordable housing in the state.
She noted that the clearing and mapping of the land are being carried out barely a week after EDPA signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project, to indicate the level of seriousness the state government attaches to the project.
“We are demonstrating our resolve and readiness to actualise the project to address housing deficit in the state, as no housing project has been carried out in the last 16 years. The project has been well-planned to provide affordable homes to people in the state,” Omo said.
According to her, the project will include the building of affordable housing units ranging from bungalows to high-rise buildings with flexible payment plans.
“This is in line with the housing needs of people in the state. After studying the housing needs in the state, we knew exactly what to do to address the deficiency.”
Explaining that the state government acquired the land for the project some years ago, she noted that compensation has been duly paid to the community while farmers, who grew arable crops on the farm would also be compensated.
“The state government, out of its magnanimity, will be paying compensation to farmers with arable crops on the land. We have maps of the land acquired for the project, with details of what is on ground. The state government will use the map to identify affected farmers and pay due compensation. Farmers, whose crops are due for harvest would be allowed to harvest their crops.”
Project Manager for the housing scheme for MIXTA Africa, Mr. Livinus Onunaku, said the environmental and social impact assessment of the project has been taken into consideration, adding, “MIXTA Africa is passionate about completing the project, which is among several other projects we intend to execute in partnership with the state government.”
A community leader in Egba, Pastor Blessed Ehiwie, confirmed that the state government had paid compensation for the land to the community, but an enumeration of farmers with crops on the land is ongoing.
Some of the farmers, who were at the site of the project, also expressed appreciation to the state government for capturing them for compensation. Mr. John Ohenhen, who spoke for the farmers, said they were grateful for the government’s gesture.
All is set for the commencement of the construction of a 1800-unit housing project in Benin city, Edo State by the Obaseki administration.
Earlier at the weekend, traditional rulers of Egba and Ukhiri communities in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area threw their weight behind the proposed construction.
They and members of their respective communities gave the assurance when the Executive Chairman, EDPA, Ms. Isoken Omo, met with them at the Palace of the Enogie of Egba Community, in preparation for the commencement of the project.
The Enogie of Egba Community, His Royal Highness (HRH), Palmer Imoregbe Uzama who spoke on behalf of his counterpart, Enogie of Ukhiri (HRH) Osayande Aigbe, and the two communities, described the choice of the community for the project as an answered prayer, noting, “The communities have suffered neglect by previous administrations.”
Uzama expressed appreciation to the governor and the Oba of Benin, for attracting developers and investors to the state. He assured the state government of the support of the communities.
On her part, Ms. Omo, said the siting of the projects in the communities was deliberate and forms part of the Governor Obaseki -led administration’s plans to open up the communities for infrastructural, economic and social development.
She said the meeting was organised to engage community leaders and members of the communities on the benefits of the project, adding that arrangements have been concluded for construction work to commence on the sites, which was secured by the state government years ago.
According to her, plans had been concluded to commence work at the site in anticipation of the President’s visit on July 21, for the ground-breaking ceremony.
Omo said the support of the communities was crucial in realizing the project’s objective, noting that the state government is planning compensation for individuals whose farms lie within the project site.
