The Edo State Government has assured communities hosting the Benin Industrial Park project that adequate compensation will be paid to groups or individuals with legal claim to land and structures within the area where the park is being developed.
Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., disclosed this at a Town Hall Meeting with traditional rulers, elders and youths from the communities in Iyanomo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to him, “the state government will adequately compensate land owners and developers in the communities hosting the park. We would soon commence the enumeration of persons who have lands and other properties in the area, where the park is sited to allow for compensation.”
He said, “The Benin Industrial park is hosted by different communities in Iyanomo. There is need for stakeholder engagement to support the project, which would enable the state government achieve its vision to industrialise the state.”
He said that on completion, not less than fourteen different companies would be hosted within the Industrial Park, which include healthcare facilities, living quarters and schools.
Ogie expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the town hall meeting, noting that the support from the communities indicated that they are ready to cooperate with the state government.
A member of the Benin Industrial Park Technical Team, Mr. Ikpowonsa Osayande, said the park would boost manufacturing and the service sector as well as create jobs for youths in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Oluwole Iyamu, urged members of the communities who were yet to make their claims to do so, noting, “The state government would compensate those with legitimate claim as the land is being developed for the good of the state.”
Iyamu warned against erection of structures within the land marked for the development of the park, noting, “Any person who does such is contravening the law and would be prosecuted.”
A Sustainability Expert and Chief Executive Officer, Natural Exo Capital Limited, Mr. Eugene Itua, said the state government would carry out environmental, health and social impact assessment in the area to ensure necessary actions are taken into consideration in the course of the project. He added that 25,382 direct and 50, 764 indirect jobs would be created within the first six years of executing the project.
In his remarks, the Enogie of Oghobaghase community in Iyanomo, Idu Akenzua, urged members of the community to support the project because of its inherent benefit to them and other people in the state.
PHOTO CAPTION
L-R: Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Enogie of Oghobaghase, Idu Akenzua; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, O. O. Iyamu and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Edorodion Oye Erimona; during the Town Hall Meeting at Oghobaghase Community, Benin City.
