Edo to compensate citizens for illegally acquired land, gets geospatial hardware

The Edo State Government has assured citizens and developers whose properties were illegally taken or destroyed of compensation.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, stated this at Evboikole in Uhummwode local council during a thank you visit to appreciate Uhunmwode people’s support. He said the government is aware that the previous government acquired the community-landed properties without compensation.

Osagie said the government is righting the wrongs of the past government to ensure harmony in the state. According to Osagie, “There are so many landed properties of Edo citizens who have worked hard and invested in the state that were forcefully acquired without compensation.

He assured the people that the present administration will investigate all the complaints and those who need to be compensated will get what is due to them. “This administration is going to ensure those property owners are compensated, while those not been utilised are released to their owners.”

He stated that every Edo person will get justice in the state, adding, “My ministry will provide the legal services to the government and ensure justice is delivered. My ministry will provide legal advice to the governor and governance given a human face, as well ensure there’s no oppression, and victimisation in the state.”

Also speaking, the member representing Uhunmwode and Orhionmwon constituency in the House of Representatives, Billy Osawaru, urged the people of Uhunmwode to forget the past and work together to make the local council great.

MEANWHILE, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has donated specialised hardware to Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) aimed at enhancing the agency’s capacity and commitment to geospatial data management in the country.

NASDRA Director-General, Dr Matthew Adepoju, represented by a Director in the agency, Dr Innocent Bello, who made the donations at a four-day GRID³ Nigeria Project training session at the EDOGIS premises, noted that the gesture was partly in recognition of the outstanding feat of EDOGIS as the Winner of the Federal Government’s Best State GIS in Nigeria Award.

Adepoju said Nigeria has made significant strides in deploying geo-information technologies for disaster management, security, agriculture, telemedicine, and other critical sectors.

“The GRID³ Nigeria Project aims to enhance the coordination, collection, and management of geospatial data to ensure evidence-based policy making and equitable resource distribution, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations. The initiative will also bolster access to updated geospatial datasets for state governments, private sector players, and non-governmental organisations.”

EDOGIS Managing Director, Mrs Osaro Aihie, thanked NASDRA for the hardware and promised to put them to good use for the benefit of the country.