Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday, signed into law, a bill to prohibit forceful and illegal occupation of landed property by community Development in Edo.
The governor, immediately presented a copy to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare, the II, in his palace.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that Oba Ewuare, it was, who initiated the move to scrap activities of Community Development Association (CDA) in the state.
The Oba in his coronation speech, decried the nefarious activities of the association, which had affected land acquisition and development by citizens and investors in the state.
Presenting the copy of the new law to the Oba, Obaseki said the signing of the bill into law was historic for his administration.
He said the implementation of the law would make the state to become more investor -friendly and would bring about speedy development of the state.
He said “My administration believes that the way to sustainable development is to unleash and nurture our productive energy and that of investors.
“Investment will not thrive in a lawless environment, it is a thing of pride that we signed this bill into law”, he said.
The governor commended the Oba for his support in making the law a success.
He said “our state has witnessed an aberration, our land tenure system before and during the colonial era was rated as the best but it has been turned around by some nefarious activities of CDAs.
“It was therefore a thing of joy during your coronation that you will undertake the task to pull down the. CDA structure” he said.
Obaseki called for the support of the chief judge of the state and security agencies towards the implementation of the law.
He said that a task force chaired by a retired Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, had been constituted to drive the enforcement of the law and supervise all matters related to the it.
He noted that the state government was not unaware that the law would displace many of the youths that were involved in the CDAs activities, adding that government was ready to empower them.
The governor urged the public to be familiar with the provisions of the law, saying that `ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
Welcoming the governor and his entourage to the palace, Oba Ewuare said the new law signified a major milestone in the present administration and that of the his reign.
He commended the governor and the Edo House of Assembly for their swiftness in the passage of the bill into law.
He said that the prompt consideration given to the bill showed that the governor was ready to do a lot more for the state.
He said” I want to say that today is historical and I am personally overwhelmed.
“I was really upset with the activities of CDA in the state.
“I saw the need to tackle the issue of CDA as their actions became destructive.
“The governor bought into the idea and decided to draft a bill to criminalize their activities.
“I want to commend the governor for this step taken as many people expressed doubts about his willingness to work with the palace but he has dispelled such fears”, he said.
The Oba also assured of rehabilitation and empowerment for the youths who were members of the CDAs.
Earlier, the speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, presented the bill to the governor for his assent at the government house.
Okonoboh said the new law was not all about prohibiting CDA’s activities in the state but also prohibited forceful entering into people’s landed property.
He said “the CDA Law also protects widows’ rights to their husbands’ property”. (NAN)
OOJ/KOO/MEMO
