By Andrew Ikehi
The Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) has frowned against the unwholesome activities of land grabbers in the State.
The lawmakers accused the perpetrators of continued flouting of the State’s Public and Private Properties Protection law, 2018.
The lawmakers at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor said they were poised at ensuring the full weight of the law against violators of laws made by the State legislature.
The House resolution, our correspondent gathered, was sequel to a report presented at the earlier plenary by the chairman, House committee on public petitions, Hon. Matthew Omonade, on the alleged use of force and threat of violence in taking over parts of the landed property belonging to the civil service commission, staff multi-purpose co-operative society limited situate at Amachai community, Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the State by the trio of Friday Okonkwor, Felix Okeleke, and Austin Okolie who operate under the guise of “Okpanam Land Recovery Committee”.
Unhappy with the activities of the Okpanam Land Recovery Committee, the lawmakers had called on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State to ensure that the trio of Friday Okonkwor, Felix Okeleke and Austin Okolie as well as other youths operating under the Okpanam Land Recovery Committee were prosecuted in accordance with the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection law, 2018.
While condemning in strong terms the activities of the trio, the lawmakers have directed them as well as other youths operating under the Okpanam Land Recovery Committee, their agents, servants and privies to desist from entering or further interfering with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the piece of land (38 plots of 50 by 100 feet) belonging to the aforementioned associations.
Also, the lawmakers enjoined the House Committee on Information and Legislative Compliance to liaise with the relevant government agencies in the State for the sensitisation of Deltans and persons residing in the State on the existence of the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection law, 2018
This, according to the lawmakers would serve as deterrent to other members of the public to desist from such obnoxious acts or actions.
Motion for the adoption of the report was moved by the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by the member representing Burutu (ll) State constituency, Hon Oloye Pereotu, just as it was unanimously adopted following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has directed the Acting Clerk of the State Assembly, Mr. Otto Aghoghophia, to as a matter of urgency, convey the House’resolution to the appropriate quarters just as he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full compliance of the House’ resolution.
