Delta Govt to Clamp Down on Land Grabbers

The Delta State Government has announced plans to resume the reclamation of government lands that have been illegally taken over by land grabbers across the state.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, warned the public that despite several prior cautionary notices issued through various channels, unauthorized occupation of government lands continues to impede key development projects. These projects include the Asaba International Airport and the Delta Free Trade Zone.

Dr. Emu stated that the illegal encroachment on the airport land is particularly concerning, with some individuals carrying out building activities that obstruct the construction of a perimeter road mandated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The statement emphasized that such encroachment risks a downgrade or outright ban on the airport’s use, a consequence deemed unacceptable by the government.

The government has now constituted an enforcement team empowered to demolish all illegal structures on government lands immediately, regardless of their stage of completion.

This action, Emu said, is intended to safeguard public interest and ensure the timely completion of vital infrastructure projects.

“The risk to public good presented by this particular encroachment is enormous,” the statement said. “This enforcement measure is apart from other legal remedies the government may pursue.”