Stakeholders across Delta State have called on the government to urgently address the escalating crisis of unregulated land acquisition, warning that fraudulent land deals and unchecked development were displacing families, eroding cultural heritage, and fueling growing unrest in rural and urban communities.

The call was made by broad range of environmentalists, urban planners, lawyers, and community leaders- Godfrey Chukwudifu Osakwe, a Communications strategist and environmental advocate, Thomas Otunuya Anigara, a lawyer and journalist, Chief Monday Ogheneruona Itoghor, an environmentalist and Geographical Information System (GIS) expert, Oguafor Innocent Ifeanyi, a Chartered town planner, Odih Christian Udoka, an aide to the traditional ruler of Okpanam, Mike Mbagwu, an estate surveyor and Prince Michael O. Orji.

The discussion took place in Asaba during the 12th anniversary celebration of Ndokwa Reporters, which also marked the official launch of its new flagship policy dialogue platform, the BEL Dialogue. With the theme: “Development or Displacement: Understanding the Cost of Unregulated Land

Acquisition in Our Communities – The Role of Government and Traditional Institutions in Safeguarding Community Lands,” the event brought together policymakers, legal experts, civil society leaders, and community stakeholders.

Participants at the maiden edition of the BEL Dialogue called for a comprehensive review of the 1978 Land Use Act, which they described as outdated and frequently misused.

They emphasized that without urgent reforms, vulnerable communities would continue to fall prey to land speculators, corrupt officials, and criminal actors.

Chairing the dialogue, Rt. Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, PhD, a former federal lawmaker, said the urgency of the issue could no longer be ignored.

He cited the recent protest by the Umuseti community in Utagba Uno, Ndokwa West, over unauthorized land sales as a clear sign of a system in crisis.

“While development brings opportunities, reckless land acquisitions displace families, erode cultural heritage, and destabilize communities,” Ossai said.

“This dialogue is a call to explore sustainable processes for land acquisition and promote collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions, and the communities they serve.”

Ossai also highlighted the contradictions in the Land Use Act, which vests control of all land in a state in the governor, noting that though the law was designed to promote equitable access and development, it has been repeatedly exploited.

In his keynote address, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, President and CEO of BEL Media Consult Ltd., publishers of Ndokwa Reporters, described the event as “historic” and reiterated the media organization’s mission to promote grassroots accountability.

“Our stories must be told by us, not for us,” Enebeli said. “Development thrives when the people most affected are part of the conversation and their voices shape the policies that impact their lives.”

He announced that the BEL Dialogue will now become an annual event every May, serving as a platform to strengthen community-government collaboration and promote inclusive development.