The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has stated his resolve to grant amnesty to cultists and illegal arms possessors in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
Itua disclosed this while meeting with the leaders of Obagie, Oke-Oroma, and Amagba Communities over land and insecurity concerns in Benin.
While reinstating his administration’s resolve to develop the proposed new city around the communities, the Governor revealed that a technical committee would soon be set up to handle the restitution of cult members and criminally-minded youths. He stated that the move is in a bid to reduce the menace of violent crimes, including kidnapping in the State.
The Edo Governor noted that a major component of the proposed amnesty programme would include skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for the affected youths. He stated that it is in order to make them useful to themselves and society.
Okpebholo assured the visiting leaders of his support to bring about lasting peace in their Communities. Especially as the Edo government would be embarking on the development of the new city in their domain.
The Governor assured that peace would be restored to all restive communities in Edo, including Obagie, Oke-oroma and Amagba.
He assured that his administration was ready to listen to the victims of demolition by the immediate past government. This is as he asked them to see members of the Committee on Land Resolution with their papers.
On the development of LOT ‘A’ in the new city plan, Okpebholo noted that officials of his government would look around and protect the traditional sites, in the process of developing the new town.
“While those in LOT ‘B’ could come forward with their documents to the committee, once the process commenced,” he assured.
The Governor also affirmed his administration readiness to carry out the regularization of land property in the affected areas. This is for property owners to have their lands back in other LOTS. He, therefore, called on property owners to register with the Edo Geographical Information System (EdoGIS).
“Survey your lands and register them with EdoGIS, so that you can collect the titles,” he told them.
The leaders of the Communities assured the Governor of their total support. Especially in the development of the LOT ‘A’ in the new city. And in his drive to improve the security of their Communities.
Speaking of behalf of the Communities, Pa Michael Omoruyi, Pa Abel Emokpae, and Ebo Amagba appreciated the Governor.
They hailed him for setting up the committee to engage with them.
They pointed out that it was the first time that Edo State Government was interfacing with them since 2017. When their lands were first acquired.
Recall that the Edo State Governor, a few weeks ago, set up a six-member committee on land resolution. It has Dr. Tony Ikpasaja as the Chairman and Dr. Abdulwasiu Oyakhire as Secretary.