Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended the signing of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) in Edo State, pending an investigation into the alleged acquisition of approximately 14,000 hectares of land by a 17-year-old.
Okpebholo announced the decision on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the Shift Naija Initiative, a non-governmental organization, in Benin City.
He stated that the investigation is necessary to determine how a minor could afford and legally possess such a large expanse of land.
The Governor, however, assured residents that the signing of the certificates would resume after the probe is completed, confirming that the documents have already been printed.
In a separate matter, the governor revealed his administration terminated an N8 billion software contract initiated by the immediate past government of Governor Godwin Obaseki, describing the payment to consultants as "wasteful."
He disclosed the state has since developed its own software, which is now being managed by trained government staff.
Governor Okpebholo also addressed a land dispute with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), alleging the private institution has encroached on 80 per cent of the land belonging to the Edo State Specialist Hospital.
"That land and the hospital belonged to the state government. MOWAA is a private establishment, and it can’t take 80 per cent of the land and leave 20 per cent for the hospital," he said.
He lamented the hospital's current state, noting it lacks a mortuary and a proper emergency ward, and pledged to reclaim the land to expand medical services.
During the event, the initiator of the Shift Naija Initiative, Comrade Ikhenbor Felix Igbinevbo, revealed the group aims to foster patriotism and constructive engagement between citizens and the government.
The Chairman of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Festus Alenkhe, commended the governor for his developmental projects and assured him of adequate media coverage.
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