Stormwater project: Edo govt reads riot act, warns against illegal construction on Godwin Omonuwa Estate

Edo State Government, yesterday, cautioned residents against transacting, selling or building on Godwin Omonuwa Estate in Upper Adesuwa College Road, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin City.

In a statement issued by Project Coordinator of the Edo State Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Tom Obaseki, the government noted that the area had been designated for the Stormwater project to check flooding in the area.

The government further reassured its commitment to resolving the perennial flooding that had made life miserable for the residents of Gapiona-Ugiokuen-Abuja Quarters and a larger part of the GRA.

“This is to bring to the attention of the general public that the Godwin Omonuwa Estate in Upper Adesuwa College Road area of the GRA has been designated for the Stormwater alleviation works at the GRA area of Benin City.

“This information is also fully known to the Godwin Omonuwa Family that has been discussing with the NEWMAP since the commencement of the project.

“The government wishes to further draw public attention to a subsisting law suit at the Federal High Court marked: FHC/B/CS/111/2020, among several other stakeholders, including members of the Godwin Omonuwa Family that restrained any form of transaction or sale activities on the land,” the statement reads.

It explained that the public notice became necessary, as the state government had recently observed some illegal construction and transaction activities in the area by unknown persons.

The state government further cautioned members of the public against being deceived into buying land in the area, stressing that people who do so would be doing so at their own risk.

“Government has resolved to use the land to resolve the perennial flooding that has made life unbearable for residents of Gapiona-Ugiokuen-Abuja Quarters and larger part of GRA over the years.”

“Therefore, buyers should desist from having any transaction on the land or carry out any development on the Godwin Omonuwa Estate in Upper Adesuwa Road, GRA,” the statement added.