Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to the management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), cautioning against further encroachment on land belonging to the Edo State Specialist Hospital in Benin City. He vowed that his administration would not tolerate any attempt to erode public property.
The Governor gave the warning during an inspection tour of the MOWAA project at King’s Square, Benin City, where he was conducted around the site by the museum’s Executive Director, Mr. Philip Iheanacho.
Governor Okpebholo said the visit was to obtain first-hand information on the project’s physical boundaries and to ensure proper demarcation between the museum and the hospital.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the extent of encroachment, Okpebholo described the situation as “unacceptable and detrimental” to the hospital’s future expansion.
“We are here to inspect the land occupied by MOWAA and that of the Edo Specialist Hospital. The hospital has existed for over 90 years, while MOWAA is a recent development. What we are witnessing is like a tenant attempting to drive a landlord out of his own property,” he said.
The Governor stressed that the hospital remains a vital public institution serving Edo citizens and must be protected from any form of land infringement. He directed that a clear boundary be established between both properties to prevent future disputes.
“Edo people are not happy with this development. My duty as governor is to safeguard what belongs to the people. We have shown MOWAA the boundaries of their allocation, and they must adhere strictly to it. The hospital’s facilities, including doctors’ quarters, emergency wards, and the mortuary, were displaced without replacement, and that is unacceptable,” Okpebholo added.
He reiterated that while his administration supports cultural preservation and creative investments, such initiatives must not come at the expense of public welfare or essential services.
The MOWAA project, initiated by the previous administration under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was inherited by the current government. However, ongoing disputes over land boundaries have prompted a review to ensure fairness to both parties.
Responding, MOWAA’s Executive Director, Mr. Philip Iheanacho, acknowledged the Governor’s concerns and affirmed the organization’s willingness to cooperate with the state government to resolve the issue amicably.
“We are in the first phase of a two-phase museum development project, and we appreciate the support of the new administration. Our plans were guided by the Certificate of Occupancy issued to us earlier, but we are engaging the State Government to reassess the boundaries to ensure no encroachment occurs,” Iheanacho said.
He also reaffirmed MOWAA’s commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with the government and ensuring that the project aligns with both legal and community interests.
Governor Okpebholo concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering development across all sectors without compromising the integrity of public institutions.
“We will continue to promote investment and cultural growth, but Edo people’s property and institutions must be protected. Governance must balance progress with fairness,” he stated.
