OVA: The Odionwere of Ova Village in Ovia North East Local Government Area Chief Moses Egharevba has appealed to Edo State government, Oba Palace and relevant authorities to stop the encroachment on Ova land by Egor Village in Egor Local Government Area of the State.
The encroachment was said to have began after the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare ll announced the proscribtion of the activities of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Benin Kingdom.
Chief Egharevba stated that the said land measuring 500feet by 500feet and situated in the boundary between Ova and Ogheghe Villages both in Ovia North-East local government area of the State, was allotted to Oba of Benin, years ago.
He maintained that Ova Village has distinct boundaries with Egbaen, Ogheghe, Iguoshodi N’ Kpemaba, Utoka, Uhunmwon and Egor Villages as demarcated by the moat.
The Odionwere however wondered why Egor Village would cross the moat which serves as the boundary to trespass on Ova land.
In their petition to Oba Palace dated April 10, 2017 as endorsed by seven elders of Ova Village including the Odionwere, they appealed to the palace to interven with a view to calling Egor Village indegenes to order.
“Sometime in 2008, the Odionwere and Elders in Ova Community allocated plots of land measuring 500feet by 500feet to your Father and Predecessor-in-title, the great Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory.
“The Chairman of the proscribed CDA in Egor Village one Mr Osaiyekemwen Ogiegor together with his cohorts have on uncountable occasions invaded our land with thugs to harass and intimidate Ova indegenes.
“The height of such impunity was the said Mr Osaiyekemwen Ogiegor with his cohorts entered the 500feet by 500feet allocated to your Father and Predecessor-in-title and shared the land amongst themselves.
“We are also using this medium to inform your Royal Majesty to take physical possession of your inherited land in our community.” The petition read in parts.
