*Vows Demolition Of Illegal Structures
THE Delta State Government has warned property developers and the public against encroaching on the Asaba Waterfront City project site, declaring that all illegal structures erected within the area will be pulled down.
Special Project Director of the project, Victor Ebonka, who issued the warning in Asaba during an inspection of the project site, accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, explained that the entire expanse of land designated for the project had been duly acquired by the state government, fully gazetted and all rightful landowners adequately compensated before the acquisition.
He stressed that the land is now government-owned and therefore highly encumbered, expressing concern that some individuals had fallen victim to fraud perpetrated by land speculators and other unscrupulous elements exploiting the ongoing development in the area to deceive unsuspecting buyers.
Ebonka cautioned prospective land buyers to always verify the status of any land by consulting the Ministry of Lands and Survey, the Town Planning Office and other relevant authorities before making any purchase, particularly in high-profile development zones, such as the Asaba Waterfront City.
He stated: “That is why we are here today to mark illegal structures and fences for demolition. Occupants are not entitled to statutory notices, because this is fully gazetted government land.”
He advised affected persons to immediately seek refunds from those who sold the land to them illegally and to remove any structures or encumbrances they had placed on the site, insisting: “Government will not hesitate to act.
“All illegal structures will be demolished and those responsible will bear the full cost of the demolition.”
He said it was in the best interest of those involved to salvage what they could, as bulldozers would soon move in to clear all illegal developments on the land.
The project director disclosed that ongoing excavation works were preparatory activities for proper land reclamation, confirming North China Construction Company and Falklands Nigeria Limited as the two major developers currently operating in the area.
Ebonka expressed confidence in the technical capacity and readiness of the developers, saying substantial portions of the land would be reclaimed within the next two to three months, marking the second phase of the project, after the construction of access roads, payment of compensation and securing all statutory approvals.
He described the Asaba Waterfront City as a fully integrated, self-sustaining, state-of-the-art city, comprising residential zones, an ICT hub, an economic and commercial hub, as well as hospitality and leisure facilities.
He was optimistic that based on the current pace of work, the project would be substantially delivered within the next three years.
