From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The legislative arm of Oshimili North Local Council of Delta State has passed a bye-law aimed at addressing the worrisome act of land grabbing which had hitherto led to loss of lives and wanton destruction of property within the council in the past.
Members of the legislature passed the law cited as the ‘Oshimili North Local Government Public and Private Properties Protection Bye-Law 2023’, during plenary at the Senator Peter Nwaoboshi Legislative Building at the council secretariat in Akwukwu-Igbo.
The passage of the law followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Nweke Anthony, which was seconded by his Deputy Majority Leader, Emmanuel Awele Isichei.
Leader of the Legislative Arm, Adimabua Henry Ofuase who presided over the plenary, directed the clerk to forward copies of the bylaws to the chairman of the council, Mr. Innocent Eseweze, for his assent.
Ofuase described the passage of the bylaws as a milestone in the history of the council, noting that it would impact positively on the council.
“This is a landmark achievement in this council, it is one of its kind, never seen before in the council. It will impact positively on the council.
“I thank the chairman for his visionary leadership, I thank the committee for a job well done, and then to my colleagues who have been very steadfast and committed to this course,” he said.
Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on the bill, Bar Stella Maris Mejulu told our correspondent that the bye-law was a product of a painstaking legislative process which started in August, this year with the first reading.
Mejulu said after the second reading, it was committed to the committee stage where public hearings were conducted to get the inputs of stakeholders within communities in the locality.
“Everybody has been eager to see the result of the assignment handed to us. The House agreed with us that we did well in involving the public through public hearings with inputs from stakeholders across the communities.
“As a committee, we looked at the submissions of our people and made the necessary corrections,” she said.
The law is intended to prohibit forceful entry and illegal acquisition of public and private landed properties; prohibit violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to public and private landed properties; and regulate real estate business; among others, within the locality.