Edo government reacts to alleged revocation of PRESCO Land

The Edo State Government has disowned a public notice claiming Governor Monday Okpebholo revoked the Statutory Right of Occupancy belonging to PRESCO PLC, describing the publication as unauthorized and misleading.

The notice had alleged that more than 13,000 hectares of PRESCO land was revoked for “overriding public interest,” causing widespread concern among investors and residents.

In a formal announcement issued on Thursday, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the publication did not originate from the governor or any authorised agency of the state. 

He explained that the immediate past Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) acted alone and without approval, disregarding established procedures and misrepresenting the actual scope of land under discussion.

Ikhilor clarified that the Edo State Government had not revoked PRESCO’s Statutory Right of Occupancy. 

He said what was being technically considered was the excision of about 20 hectares a small, clearly identified area containing strategic crude oil wells. 

The government said the review was necessary because mineral resources belong exclusively to the Federal Government and cannot be held under private proprietary rights.

He added that while the law permits revocation of occupancy rights for overriding public interest, no such approval was granted by Governor Okpebholo in this situation.

The government urged the public, stakeholders, and PRESCO PLC to disregard the newspaper notice entirely. 

It also announced the commencement of an administrative review to address the actions of the former EDOGIS head and to strengthen internal controls to prevent similar breaches.