The Edo State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party traded accusations after the state announced and reversed the revocation of PRESCO PLC’s Statutory Right of Occupancy within 24 hours.
Sponsored Ads
The back-and-forth sparked a heated debate about governance and transparency in the state.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The PDP reacted first, calling the entire episode troubling. The party said the state acted without clarity or proper understanding of its own announcement. It also stressed that PRESCO, a major agro-industrial investment that has operated in Edo for more than three decades, deserved better handling of issues affecting its operations.
RELATED STORIES
Related Posts
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The Edo State Government responded through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, who accused the PDP of exaggerating the situation. He admitted there was an initial mix-up but said the explanation from the Secretary to the State Government provided the constitutional basis for the government’s decision. He added that the opposition was attempting to trivialise the matter.
The controversy began on November 26 when an advertorial signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo announced the revocation of PRESCO’s land in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha, citing Sections 28 and 38 of the Constitution. A day later, another advertorial signed by Secretary to the State Government Umar Ikhilor stated that the notice did not originate from the governor or any authorised office. It also claimed the former head of the Edo State Geographic Information Service, Dr Tony Ikpasajah, acted on his own and ignored proper procedures.
Sources at Government House revealed that Governor Okpebholo was displeased that he was not fully briefed before the revocation notice went public. Ikpasajah was later removed from office over the handling of the matter, which involved more than 13,000 hectares of PRESCO land.
The government said a formal review has begun to investigate the former EDOGIS boss’s actions and improve internal systems to prevent similar issues in the future. Efforts to reach Ikpasajah were unsuccessful, but officials confirmed he has received his dismissal letter.
Comments are closed.