The Kogi State Government has commenced plans to compensate and relocate residents of Idogido-Orietesu and Asuwe clan communities in Okene Local Government Area to pave the way for a major development project.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this during a meeting with residents, saying the exercise was in the public interest and aimed at transforming the socio-economic landscape of the ancient town.
Represented by the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands, Kehinde Augustine Salihu-Otaru, the governor said about 35 ancestral land title holders behind the new central mosque under construction at Idogido-Orietesu would be compensated and relocated.
He said negotiations were ongoing with landowners in Asuwe clan to finalise compensation arrangements.
According to him, the government has mapped out a new relocation site, while construction of access roads and other infrastructure has commenced.
Salihu-Otaru said the affected landowners had been consulted through a series of meetings and had given their consent for the project.
He added that the government had verified the ancestral ownership of the land and was engaging title holders to agree on compensation and prevent disputes among affected families.
He also said beneficiaries would either receive new homes or monetary compensation, depending on the agreement reached, adding that the new settlement would be completed before December 2026.
He said residents would vacate the land after receiving compensation to enable the government to begin work.
Leaders of the affected communities confirmed their support for the project, saying they had agreed to release the land for development while discussions continued to resolve outstanding issues.