The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will recover every land illegally converted by land grabbers from communities and individuals across the state.

The governor said he would intensify the campaign against land grabbing to improve land administration in the state.

Obaseki said, “We are resolute in our determination to restore and preserve the land administration system in the state. This is why we have intensified the campaign against land-grabbing.

“We are determined to rid our state of non-state actors and overlords who have become a nuisance and deprive communities and individuals of their properties. We are going to bring the full weight of the law upon the individuals and groups involved and bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice.”

He added, “We have taken possession of a government acquisition in the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of the Benin metropolis for the development of a new town. The new town is the first phase of the Benin Masterplan, which is intended to redistribute the city’s population in a properly planned settlement. I want to assure the citizens of Edo State that my government has set up a special squad which will recover every inch of land illegally converted by land grabbers from communities and individuals.”

Speaking on the government’s efforts at cutting wastes and increasing the state’s revenue, the governor said his government will continue to pursue reforms and policies to improve the livelihoods of the people and guarantee economic prosperity for the state.

He added, “We have redesigned the government to become more streamlined and functional, ensuring that we are focused on delivering optimal service to the public.”