Leaders of Ovwian/Aladja communities in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have raised concerns over an alleged move by Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML) to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy over the land hosting the former Delta Steel Company.
The communities said granting a fresh title over the property without resolving the historical circumstances surrounding its acquisition could prejudice what they described as their legitimate interests in the land.
They maintained that the land was never sold outright to Delta Steel Company.
The protest letter, made available to newsmen on Tuesday and signed by Prof. Jomata Igben, president-General, Worldide; Elders James Mayiko, Oghuvwie-Ode, traditional prime minister of Aladja Community and Richard Lafua, president, Aladja Community Council, was addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The community leaders protested against any attempt to convert the company’s interest in its industrial buildings, installations and other assets into outright ownership of the underlying land, without first resolving the historical and legal issues surrounding the acquisition of the land.
According to the letter, the federal government acquired the land during the military era under the applicable land acquisition decree or legislation, with compensation paid for crops, economic interests and other compensable interests.
The communities therefore urged the governor to ensure that the original acquisition documents, compensation records and the nature of the interest acquired by the federal government are properly examined before any new title is issued.
Read also:
- PFN Leadership In Ozoro Raises Alarm Over Increasing Rate Of Church Burglaries
- DSCTDA demolishes illegal Roadside structures in sweeping Urban renewal drive in Asaba
- Delta State intensifies flood control measures as Capital Territory Agency clears major drainages
- Delta approves urban renewal plans for Asaba, Warri
They also asked the state government to determine whether the land was ever legally sold or transferred by Ovwian/Aladja communities to Delta Steel Company and give the affected communities an opportunity to present their historical records and documents.
Calling for urgent intervention, the leaders urged the governor to engage the federal government and Premium Steel to prevent any administrative action capable of “perfecting or conferring a fresh title” over the land until the communities’ position had been considered.
They also called for a stakeholders’ dialogue involving the federal and Delta State governments, Premium Steel, Ovwian/Aladja communities, Udu Local Government Council, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom and other relevant stakeholders.
The communities stressed that their protest is not aimed at disrupting industrial activities, saying they remained committed to peaceful engagement and sustainable industrial development.
They said they were prepared to negotiate with Premium Steel, government authorities and other stakeholders, insisting that dialogue, fairness and the rule of law remained the preferred means of resolving the matter.
