By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The Coalition Against Land grabbing and Deforestation (CALD), in conjunction with Okpamakhin Initiative has called on those acquiring communities land in Edo State to desist from it henceforth.
This warning was giving yesterday by the coordinate of Okpamakhin Initiative, Comrade Tony Erha in a press conference in Benin City.
He alleged that in recent times, Edo State Government, led by Governor Obaseki has involved in the grabbing of communites lands in Edo.
According to Erha, "Before Governor Obaseki came in we had a similar problem where some of the lands belonging to the communities were taking away by the PDP government then. In 2015 hectares of lands that were grabbed by companies and individuals were void under Adams Oshiomhole's government, in which Clem Agba also served as the Commissioner of Environment. Those lands were revoked and given back to the people".
He added that he was disturbed that Governor Obaseki who was part of the decision made by Adams Oshiomhole to recover those lands will now go back to give out the same land.
He also said that so far 45 hectares of lands have been taking from Owan Forest Zone, which includes the following communities, Uhonmwode, Owan West, Ovia North East and Ovia South West.
He said they went to challenge the grabbing of the land in ECOWAS Court and Sue the Federal Government on behalf of Edo State, adding that the FG asked Edo State Government to go and answer them, but they refused to respond.
One of the representatives of Orhionmwon Community, Curtis Ogbebor who narrated the experences of the people in the community said it is regrettable that people's livelihood has been completely taken away from the people because their lands have been grabbed.
Other Representatives of other communities also spoke in the same vein. They said they no longer have the means to feed and train their children, as the only land they depends on has been taking away from them.
The group resolved to explore all possible ways to take back their land.
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