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…threaten to Relocate their Families to Govt House
Indigenes of Umuezenta, Umuelenwa and Okpuala, in Umuomainta Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State, have called on the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, to suspend the Abia State Land Acquisition Committee handling the Nsulu Airport Project over lack of transparency.
The indigenes, also implored Governor Otti to visit the proposed airport site, with a view to having a first hand information on the actual size of land for the project and also have an interface with the landowners who yearn for transparency.
Speaking while conducting journalists round the lands already cleared by the state government for the project on Saturday, the Village Head of Umuezenta and the Secretary, Nsulu Landowners Association, Echezolam Ukaumunna, said with the inconsistency on the part of those handling the project, it has become pertinent for the Governor to visit and have a feel of the situation, alleging that there is the notion that he is not being given the true picture of the situation.
Echezolam, who wondered why the Governor has remained silent on such a sensitive issue, also lamented that despite many protests and agitations by the actual owners of Nsulu lands, the number one Chief Executive Officer of the State, has not deemed it expedient to feel the pulse of the people directly. He also contended that there is no way someone outside Umuezenta, Umuelenwa and Okpuala all in Mbawsi will be part of the MoU Committee.
He recalled that at the twilight of the project, he raised alarm as to the insincerity spotted as it were, decrying that instead of the state government acting on information given, they arrested and subjected him to all manner of treatment just as they have continued to brand those that offer advise to them as members of the opposition, insisting that all they alleged ab initio has come to pass.
Echezolam also decried that it is very unfortunate that at this time of the year, when the rain is receding, the actual owners of the airport project, have not been given commensurate compensation and are yet to secure lands for farming activities, saying their fate and survival next year hangs in a balance.
He revealed that indigenes of Nsulu land are dying gradually due to poor living conditions and inability to seek medical attention in hospitals, wondering why they are being treated as if they are not part of Abia State.
“Sons and daughters of Nsulu land are dying because they do not have the financial muscle to seek for medical attention. You take away their lands, their source of livelihood and also fail to compensate them. My question is, how do you want them to survive. Is this government actually for us or against the people”?
Echezolam, who emphasised the need for transparency in the entire process, said they are tired of complaining for the government to do the right thing, informing that by the expiration of one week, the landowners and their families will relocate to Abia Government House for their plights to be taken care of.
He also challenged the state government to make available the names of landowners captured in the enumeration process for them to compare if it aligns with the list they have, alleging the existence of fictitious names in the list prepared by the state government.
“We are tired of complaining for the State Government to publish the actual names of those captured, not fictitious Yoruba names. We have even assisted them by capturing all the names of landowners and we are waiting for them to come up with theirs, so that we can compare and contrast. Also, from now till next week Saturday, if the government doesn’t address these irregularities, we are taking our families to wherever the government House is located for them to be taken care of.”
Also speaking, a landowner, Mr. Onyebuchi Ogubunka, a chairlady among other landowners, said the activities of the state government is pure land grabbing, adding that no responsible government will deprive her citizens the right to farm.
They further alleged that the government of Governor Alex Otti, does not have their interest at heart, demanding that the government provide the actual portions of land for the project including those enumerated.
They also alleged that those already captured and compensated were agents of the government who do not have more than one portion of land, revealing that those with up to thirteen portions of lands are yet to be captured, let alone receive compensation.
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