The Kogi State Government has commenced plans to compensate and relocate inhabitants of Idogido-Orietesu and Asuwe clan communities in Okene Local Government Area, citing public interest and a new development agenda for the ancient town.
Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, who disclosed this during a meeting with residents in Okene, said the move is aimed at transforming the socio-economic activities of the affected areas.
Represented by the Director General, Bureau of Lands, Kehinde Augustine Salihu-Otaru, the governor noted that about 35 ancestral land title holders behind the new central mosque under construction at Idogido-Orietesu would be compensated and relocated.
He said negotiations are ongoing with landowners in Asuwe clan to finalize compensation modalities.
‘The state government has taken assessment of the land at Idogido-Orietesu behind the new central mosque under construction in Okene . In view of this, it has resolved to compensate and relocate the occupiers of the land to another place .
‘The new relocation place has been mapped out , and its road construction is ongoing. It’s being designed to accommodate enough buildings and other infrastructure for the affected residents .
‘ The ancestral land or property owners at both sites were duly informed , and have given their consent to the government to go ahead and develop the areas as planned .
‘Series of meetings and negotiations have been held with the title holders of the land in a view to get their inputs , advice and support to enable the government to proceed with its plan in the areas.
‘We hope to arrive at a compromise over modality of compensation and other grey areas shortly, as work has commenced on their new home’, said Salihu-Otaru
He added further that the government has established the ancestral nature of the land or property involved in the two communities, which accommodate multiple title holders .
Against this backdrop , he said, the state government had initiated series of meetings with the title holders in order to agree on mode of settlement/ compensation to avoid issues which may trigger grievances in the families, thereafter.
‘Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reiterated his administration commitment to compensate the affected people with a new home ,or through monetary settlement ,depending on the aggrement to be reached with the land or property owners .
‘The state government will complete the building of their new home before December 2026 at the approved site in Okene . with the necessary infrastructure.
‘The beneficiaries are expected to vacate their ancestral land and property for the government to commence its programme of action once they receive their compensation’,,he said.
However , the leaders of the affected communities confirmed that they have given their approval to the state government to take over their ancestral land and establish projects that will turn around the lives of the people in the areas
According to the chairman and secretary of Asuwe clan community , Usman Salihu Ojatuhowu and Jimoh Enebe, the people of the clan are law abiding citizens ,with no objection to the quest of the state government to acquire their ancestral land for development.
‘We are in support of the state government to take over our ancestral land to establish new projects that will bring development to the people .
‘Certain areas of the settlement have been agreed upon with the government in the series of meetings that prevailed over the issue . Also, efforts are being intensified to resolve other outstanding differences with the state government, having shown unwaring commitment to the welfare of our people.
‘So far, we have noticed that the government has taken action on certain aggreement so reached,
With the way things are going, we are sure our people and the government will finalise everything about our relocation, compensation and our new home ,as scheduled and agreed ‘, said Ojatuhowu, chairman of the Asuwe clan community.