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The people of Nchanawa Ogwuofia Imezi Owa in Ezeagu local government area of Enugu have again staged a peaceful protest demanding compensation from the State Government over what they described as forceful takeover of their communal land for the construction of International Spare Parts Market.
The protesting villagers which included men, aged women and youths matched through the vast expanse of the disputed land brandishing placards with various inscriptions.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, the Chairman, Uchanawa Ogwuofia Imezi Owa Community, Engr. Osmond Nwabuisi decried the manner the state government was forcefully taking over their land without due consultation and compensation.
Nwabuisi said the community is not against development being brought to their area, but wondered why they were not carried along in the whole process.
He said the leadership of the community was only invited by the Managing Director of Enugu State Investment Authority, Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo who only informed them of government takeover of the land.
He appealed to the state governor, Peter Mbah to wade into the matter and address their concerns to prevent the community from untold hardship.
“The managing director Enugu state Investment Authority invited us once so we thought it was a dialogue. He just told us about the government interest on our land. we asked him for dialogue he said we should itemized what we want and we bring it to him and we told him that is not the best way to make dialogue in this type of thing. And since then, we have not heard from him”.
“ We are not protesting about against government development of the land. We’re not protesting against the project. The project is a welcome project, because we know is all about development, but what we are protesting is the manner, the approach and the attitude towards us”.
“ In this type of situation, it needs compensation. I know in this type of initiative, what the government would have done first is for them to evaluate, do joint evaluation of our crops and cash crops and the evaluation our structures so that they know how much how to compensate us”.
“Secondly, they refused to give us the survey plan. We requested for it. If they had given us the survey plan, we will know the extent of land they are taking. We requested for it but they have not given it to us”.
“Thirdly, this land in question, they should have reserved some for our youth and children. Where they will build their homes. Inside the village our houses are very compacted. You wouldn’t believe that if you get down to the village, about eight families or 10 families share one plot of land”.
“This is the only land we have. They should have reserved some for our children.
Also speaking, a stakeholder in the community, Chief Felix Ejim said previous administration in the state has already acquired 2000 hectares of land belonging to the community without compensation.
He said the current administration is already taking over about 75 hectares of land without carrying the community along.
“They made a promise that they’re going to build international market here. We agreed that we’re going to start negotiation all of a sudden, no compensation, nothing was done. Across the other aspect of our property, they acquired 2000 hectares of land, the same government without due compensation, and we made everything humanly possible for them to recognize the rightful owner of the property. What they normally say is are we’re coming to compensate you, allow us to walk.