The Edo State Government has warned the management of the Museum of West African Arts, MOWAA, against encroaching on land belonging to the state-owned Edo Specialist Hospital, ESH.
DAILY POST reports that the Deputy Governor of the state, Dennis Idahosa, issued the warning on Thursday during a visit to the MOWAA site in Benin City.
He, however, urged the museum’s management to adhere strictly to the laid-down coordinates.
The deputy governor, who reaffirmed the state government’s stance on the boundary demarcation between the Edo Specialist Hospital and MOWAA, expressed displeasure over the museum’s alleged encroachment despite earlier directives.
He said the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had mandated him to ensure compliance with the demarcation lines.
According to him, “Governor Okpebholo has asked me to advise and also warn the MOWAA management to stick to the demarcation lines between the ESH and the MOWAA institution.
“A few weeks ago, we were here to demarcate the boundary between MOWAA and the ESH. Apparently, the MOWAA management decided to encroach on the land given to ESH.
“We came to let them know that the Edo State Government is firm on it, and we have given them the right coordinates. We have also sealed the part that belongs to the ESH, so that MOWAA can no longer encroach.
“This is not a witchhunt. The governor is fair enough to allow MOWAA to continue with whatever we met on the ground. He has not encroached or done anything contrary to the law. Hence, they should also stick to and abide by the law.”
Idahosa, who maintained that the government’s priority remains the security and health of Edo people, noted that compliance with lawful boundaries is in the interest of both institutions.
In her remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Dr Anthonia Njoku, commended Governor Okpebholo for protecting the hospital’s expansion interests.
DAILY POST also learnt that negotiations had been ongoing with the MOWAA management over the demarcation and that a temporary perimeter wall had already been erected in the meantime.
Edo govt warns MOWAA against encroachment on state-owned hospital’s land