Developers jostle for Benin Industrial Park project

PDP accuses Edo govt of annexing FG land
Amid bickering between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and state government over allegation of annexing farmland belonging to Benin Owena River Basin, Edo government has claimed that three developers have shown interest on the Benin Industrial Park.

The spokesperson to the governor, Crusoe Osagie said the Benin Industrial Park (BIP) project is fully on course as there is no fight between it and the federal government.

He stressed that the park is being developed at a considerably rapid pace, while three co-developers have already indicated interest to work on the project.

In a statement, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, alleged that the affected farmland is situated at Obayantor, in Ikpoba Okha local council of the state.

He also alleged that the state government brought in thugs and bulldozers to start the destruction and annexation of the land when the River Basin Authority refused to hand over the Federal government land.

According to the party, “it is clear now that there is no plans to build an industrial park because if there is a proper plan, there would not have been fights, blackmail, intimidation and annexation after performing ground breaking ceremony.

But Osagie said: “ It is laughable that they will try to concoct a non-existent feud between Edo state and federal government, which are being efficiently run under the same political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). “They should remember that by the time Obaseki completes the project their relatives and friends may find gainful employment and economic opportunities there. And should not rubbish the project with their pettiness, shameless lies and falsehood”, he added.

He therefore urged the public to disregard all comments against the park and other economic projects by the opposition, saying, that they were made out of political bias.