From: Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has called on Edo State lawmakers to speed up the passage of the bill criminalising Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the state.
The bill was sent to the House early this year on the heels of destructive activities and land speculations by youths under the guise of CDAs across the seven council areas of the Benin kingdom.
The monarch, gave the charge when he received members of Edo State parliament, in his palace, in Benin-City.
The royal father expressed with sadness that apart from causing pains and hardship to Benin residents, the criminal activities of CDAs in the state especially in the Benin speaking areas, has also hindered the socio-economic and infrastructural development in the state.
According to the monarch, when passed, the bill will restore confidence on investors who had left the state following the nefarious activities of criminal elements under the pretense of CDAs to reinvest
The Benin monarch noted that following his earlier announcement on the ban on CDAs in the land transactions and other related matters, it has brought a huge relief to the entire people of Edo state, and has also led to a drop in land grabbing and destructions of properties based on the report he received from various security agencies and traditional rulers.
He maintained that both the legislative and executive arms are needed to ensure safe environment for investors and peaceful coexistence among various groups in the state.
Oba emphasized that he was carrying out a detailed traditional in-house cleansing at the palace to re-orientate all the traditional rulers and chiefs on native administration in line with the ancestral custom and tradition of Benin in curbing various anti socio behaviours and the land grabbing in the state.
He also advising the government to set up committee to work out modalities of creating job opportunities for some hard working youths across various communities in the state.
Earlier the speaker Edo House of Assembly, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, on behalf of others pledged unalloyed loyalty to the royal father, saying that the Parliament was committed at giving a speedy passage to the bill that is before the house
The Speaker assured Omo N’Oba that the bill has already gone through the various necessary stages and will be ready soon for onward transmission to the governor for assent.