The directive was delivered by the Special Project Director of the Asaba Waterfront City, Hon. Barr. Victor Ebonka, during an on-site inspection of the project location in Asaba on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Lands and Surveys, Barr. Ebonka conducted a thorough assessment of ongoing activities and identified several unauthorized fences, buildings, and other encumbrances on the government-acquired land.
Barr. Ebonka emphasized that the entire expanse earmarked for the Asaba Waterfront City had been legally acquired by the state government, duly gazetted, and that all legitimate landowners had received full and fair compensation prior to the acquisition. “This land is fully government-owned and highly encumbered,” he stated. “No individual or group has any legal right to develop, fence, sell, or occupy any portion of it without official authorization.”
He expressed deep concern over reports of unsuspecting members of the public falling victim to fraudulent land sales orchestrated by speculators and unscrupulous elements exploiting the high-profile nature of the ongoing development. “Some people have been deceived into purchasing plots that do not legally exist for private ownership,” Barr. Ebonka noted. “We urge prospective buyers to always verify land status directly with the Ministry of Lands and Surveys, the Town Planning Office, and other relevant authorities before committing funds, especially in premium development zones like this.”
The Special Project Director made it clear that occupants of illegal structures on the site are not entitled to statutory notices prior to demolition. “That is why we are here today to mark illegal structures and fences for demolition,” he declared. “Government will not hesitate to act. All illegal structures will be demolished, and those responsible will bear the full cost of the demolition exercise.”
Barr. Ebonka advised affected individuals to immediately demand refunds from those who sold them the land fraudulently and to voluntarily remove any structures or encumbrances they had placed on the site. “It is in their best interest to salvage what they can now,” he warned, adding that bulldozers would be deployed in the coming days to clear all unauthorized developments and restore the land for planned reclamation and construction works.
He provided an update on project progress, explaining that current excavation activities are preparatory steps for large-scale land reclamation. Two major developers are actively engaged: North China Construction Company, which controls slightly over 300 hectares and is spearheading the core Waterfront City development, and Falklands Nigeria Limited, which holds the larger portion designated for Niger City. “These are two major cities that will emerge here in the near future,” Barr. Ebonka said.
Expressing confidence in the developers' technical expertise and readiness, he projected that substantial land reclamation would be visible within the next two to three months. “In the coming weeks, there will be visible and extensive reclamation works,” he stated. “This marks the second phase of the project. The first phase involved the construction of access roads, payment of compensation, and securing all statutory approvals.”
Barr. Ebonka commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for fulfilling the state’s obligations under the project agreement, including timely release of funds, securing necessary approvals, and maintaining a peaceful environment conducive to development. “The responsibility now lies with the developers to carry out their obligations, including land reclamation, construction of the bond wall, provision of access roads, and delivery of other world-class infrastructure as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding,” he added.
The Asaba Waterfront City is envisioned as a fully integrated, self-sustaining, state-of-the-art urban development featuring residential zones, an ICT hub, an economic and commercial district, hospitality facilities, leisure amenities, and modern infrastructure. The project is expected to transform the Asaba riverfront into a major economic driver for Delta State, attracting investment, creating jobs, and enhancing the capital city’s global appeal.
Barr. Ebonka expressed optimism about the timeline, stating that, based on the current pace of work and developer commitments, substantial delivery of the Waterfront City could be achieved within the next three years.
The warning serves as a clear signal of the Oborevwori administration’s determination to protect public assets, prevent land fraud, and ensure the timely realization of flagship projects under the MORE Agenda. Residents and investors are urged to exercise due diligence and rely solely on official channels for land transactions in the area.
The state government reiterated its commitment to transparency, rule of law, and zero tolerance for illegal occupation or speculation on government-designated development sites, underscoring that enforcement actions will continue until the project area is fully secured for its intended purpose.
