Owners of properties demolished and farmlands acquired by the Delta State government have accused the State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, over refusal to pay compensation promised them for their lands for the expansion of the Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Ethiope west local government area of the state.
The Dr. Okowa-led administration allegedly destroyed buildings, some uncompleted, others completed while some are farmlands used for agricultural purposes for family consumption in order to carryout expansion work at the health facility.
It was gathered that the government requested that those who owned lands and those who were already building should discontinue work at their sites as the government promised to pay compensation to enable them relocate to other places of their choice.
It was gathered that documentation was carried out by officials of the state government on the number of houses and lands affected with pictorial evidences but were never contacted after one year.
They disclosed that the said expansion was on but the compensation the state government promised to them was never effected.
Most of those affected are peasant farmers, those with petty businesses managing with the harsh economy.
Those with properties at roofing stage and those almost close to roofing level have been placed on hold.
They call on the state government to make do with their promises so they could know their fate, alleging that criminal elements have turn the area to their hideout.
Contacted, the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Barr. Kate Onianwa, said their files is with her counterpart in the ministry of Economic Planning.
At press time, calls put across to the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Barry Gbe, was not answered.
