The Delta State Government has announced plans to demolish all illegal structures erected within the Asaba Waterfront City Project, warning that encroachment on the government-owned land will no longer be tolerated.

The warning was issued during an on-site inspection of the project area by the Director of Special Projects, Asaba Waterfront City, Hon. Victor Ebonka, who led a joint team of officials from the Ministry of Lands and Surveys and other relevant agencies.

Ebonka said the inspection exercise was necessary to address the growing incidence of illegal development within the project corridor, describing the situation as a major threat to the integrity of the state’s flagship urban renewal initiative.

According to him, the entire expanse of land designated for the Asaba Waterfront City project was lawfully acquired, fully gazetted, and all legitimate landowners were duly compensated by the state government before project commencement.

“This land belongs entirely to the Delta State Government. It is fully gazetted, and compensation has been paid. Any structure found here is illegal and will be removed,” Ebonka stated.

No statutory notices for illegal occupants

Ebonka stressed that occupants of illegal structures are not entitled to statutory notices, noting that the government is acting within its legal rights.

“That is why we are here today to mark illegal fences and structures for demolition. Since this is government land, there is no obligation to issue statutory notices,” he said.

He warned that bulldozers would soon move in to clear all illegal developments, adding that those responsible would bear the full cost of demolition.

“Government will not hesitate to act. All illegal structures will be demolished, and the cost will be borne by those who erected them,” he warned.

Victims of land fraud advised to seek refunds

The project director expressed concern that some individuals had been deceived by land speculators and fraudsters, who took advantage of the ongoing development to sell government land illegally to unsuspecting buyers.

He urged prospective land buyers to always verify land ownership and status with the Ministry of Lands and Surveys, Town Planning authorities, and other relevant agencies before making payments—especially in high-profile development zones such as the Asaba Waterfront City.

“Anyone who bought land here should immediately go back to whoever sold it to them and demand a refund. Government did not sell any land in this area,” Ebonka said.

He further advised affected persons to remove any structures or encumbrances they may have placed on the land in order to salvage movable materials before demolition begins.

Project enters second phase

Ebonka disclosed that the current activities at the site include excavation works, which are preparatory steps for full-scale land reclamation.

He explained that the project has now entered its second phase, following the successful completion of earlier milestones.

“The first phase involved construction of access roads, payment of compensation, and securing all statutory approvals. What you are seeing now is preparation for extensive reclamation works,” he said.

He added that the Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has fulfilled all its obligations on the project, including securing approvals and releasing funds in a timely manner.

Delivery timeline

On the project timeline, Ebonka expressed optimism that the Asaba Waterfront City would be substantially completed within three years, based on the current pace of work.

He described the project as a major component of the state’s long-term urban development and investment strategy, designed to transform Asaba into a modern, well-planned waterfront city.

The state government reiterated its commitment to protecting public assets and ensuring that development projects are executed in line with approved plans and legal frameworks.

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In an official statement released on Wednesday, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, emphasized that the administration had previously cautioned against encroachment but those warnings have largely gone unheeded.

“The unlawful takeover of state land has continued despite repeated notifications,” Emu stated. “As a result, we are now moving forward with enforcement measures to reclaim these lands for vital state projects.”

Among the affected areas are the Asaba International Airport and the Delta Free Trade Zone. Emu noted that some individuals have gone as far as initiating construction on airport-designated land, which poses a serious threat to regulatory compliance and public safety.

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He warned that such encroachments could lead to severe consequences, including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority downgrading or suspending operations at the Asaba Airport an outcome the government considers unacceptable.

To address the issue, a special enforcement task force has been established. This team is charged with removing all unauthorized structures, regardless of whether they are completed or still under construction.

Dr. Emu also mentioned that, beyond demolition, the state may pursue additional legal actions to ensure full compliance with land use regulations.

The government reiterated its commitment to protecting state assets and ensuring that critical infrastructure projects are not compromised by illegal developments.

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