Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has dismissed the head of the state’s land administration agency after an unauthorized newspaper notice claimed that the government had revoked the land rights of Presco Plc, a major agro-industrial company operating in the state.
According to senior government officials, the governor was “visibly angered” by the publication, describing it as both misleading and potentially damaging to the state’s investment climate.
The notice, which appeared in the Vanguard newspaper, announced the revocation of Presco’s Statutory Right of Occupancy, a claim the government now says was issued without approval and in violation of established procedures.
“The governor did not approve any revocation. No such decision was taken,” a senior official said on Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly. “The publication did not originate from the Governor’s Office or any authorised arm of the state.”
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Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, the Managing Director of the agency, was relieved of his duties shortly after the governor received confirmation that the publication was issued unilaterally, it was learnt.
Officials said the governor was particularly alarmed by the potential economic implications of the misinformation. Presco Plc, one of the state’s largest employers, operates extensive oil palm plantations and processing facilities that form a backbone of the rural economy. A sudden or unexplained revocation could have signaled policy instability to local and international investors, the governor was reported to have alarmed.
“No revocation, partial or otherwise, was under consideration,” an official said.
