Shola Akinyele
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Wednesday seriously frowned at the encroachment on the Edo Specialist Hospital land by the management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), issuing a stern warning that his administration would not tolerate the erosion of public property.
Governor Okpebholo gave the warning during an inspection tour of the MOWAA project at King’s Square, Benin City, where he was conducted round the site by the museum’s Executive Director, Mr. Philip Iheanacho.
A statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Fred Itua, said the visit was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the project’s physical boundaries and ensuring proper demarcation between both properties.
Speaking after the inspection, Okpebholo expressed dissatisfaction over the degree of encroachment, describing it as unacceptable and potentially detrimental to the hospital’s future expansion.
“We are here to inspect the land occupied by MOWAA and that of the Edo Specialist Hospital. The hospital has existed for over 90 years, but MOWAA is a recent development. What we are witnessing is like a tenant attempting to drive a landlord out of his own property,” the Governor said.
He emphasised that the Specialist Hospital remained a critical public institution serving Edo people and must be protected from any form of land infringement.
The governor, therefore, directed that a clear demarcation be established between both properties to prevent future disputes.
“Edo people are not happy with this development. My responsibility as governor is to safeguard what belongs to the people. We have shown MOWAA the boundaries of their allocation, and they must strictly adhere to it. The hospital’s facilities, including doctors’ quarters, emergency wards, and the mortuary, were displaced without replacement, and that is unacceptable,” Okpebholo added.
Governor Okpebholo reiterated that while his administration valued cultural preservation and creative investment, such projects must not undermine the welfare of citizens or compromise vital public services.
The MOWAA project, initiated under the previous administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was inherited by the current government. However, tensions over land use have prompted a reassessment of boundaries between the museum and the hospital.
In his response, Iheanacho, acknowledged the concerns raised by the governor, noting that the project was being executed based on the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) issued by the former administration.
He, however, expressed readiness to cooperate with the Government to resolve the matter amicably.
“We are in the first phase of a two-phase museum development project, and we appreciate the support of the new administration. Our plans were drawn from the C of O issued to us earlier, but we are in discussions with the State Government to reassess the boundaries to ensure no encroachment occurs on either side,” Iheanacho stated.
He further emphasised MOWAA’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the Edo State Government, assuring that the project’s implementation would respect both legal and community considerations.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed that his government remained committed to promoting development across all sectors, but not at the expense of public institutions or citizens’ welfare.
“We will continue to encourage investments and cultural advancement, but Edo people’s property and institutions must be protected. Governance must balance progress with fairness,” the Governor concluded.
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