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By Amos Odhe
Osun State Government has frowned at incessant encroachment on government properties by land grabbers and estate developers.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, made this known during his visit to Owalla Dam in Oba- Oke, Osun State, where Federal Groups had invaded and bulldozed the area without authorization.
The construction of Owala dam was completed in the year 1988 purposely for potable water production to about 12 LGAs of the state and it’s being achieved through the construction of the New Ede Headworks. The specific maximum depth and length of not less than 600m and the catchment area is about 20km square.
At the completion of the project, it was officially handed over to Osun State Water Corporation, and since then, the entire land has been under the administration and maintenance of the Water Corporation.
The dam was constructed under Water Corporation of Oyo State and the land acquired before it was ceded to Osun water Corporation in 1991.
The commissioner condemned the alarming rate at which the land had been encroached upon by the Federal Group, estate developers and land grabbers.
According to him, government’s policies on encroachment still remains the same and consequently, encroachment of any nature will no longer be tolerated by the state government.
He added that a monitoring committee has been set up, in a bid to curb further unlawful encroachment of the lands.
Hon Oroniyi further warned that government would not hesitate to allow the law take its full course if those engaged in the activities remained recalcitrant.
