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Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Dr. Graham Hefer, has commended Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, describing him as a true technocrat for unveiling the Edo Geographic Information Services (EDOGIS).
The EDOGIS is aimed at reducing the burden of developers and multinationals bringing investments to the state in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) on their landed property.
Hefer described the feat as laudable, saying with EDOGIS host communities of Okomu Oil and others have been enlightened on the imperative of registering their land and obtaining C-of-Os, as a legal document to posses such land or property.
He pledged that the firm would continue to comply with all relevant laws guiding the land in which the company carries out its operations in the state.
“I have always been conscious of all the relevant laws guiding the land in which the company operates and this is why the company does not undermine its periodic re-examination and recertification of its operations.
“We have been collaborating with the communities in terms of boundary demarcation like what we have in the extension two projects, for instance.
“In demarcating the boundary, we always brought the community executive along to know the boundary as required by EDOGIS so as to avoid encroachment and that is part of the communication we have with the communities,” he said.
Assistant Chief Registrar, Titles and Instrument, EDOGIS, Mrs. Nora Ohiwerei and Senior Surveyor, Eromosei Ezekiel, while addressing community leaders at the forum, reminded them that all lands belong to government and that it was only by registering and obtaining a C-of-O of the land they possess or occupy that guarantee the ownership.
They said government has every right to revoke ownership of any land allocated to any person or community, but with proof of ownership with their C-of-O that they would be entitled to compensation, while those without C-of-O would not be entitled to compensation.