Enugu state citizens resident in Russia have written a petition to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, expressing their displeasure over what they described as the ‘devilish, barbaric and ungodly’ act of land grabbing by the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Vitus Okechi and other officials of the state government.
They stated that the actions of government officials have denied the Ugwuaji community their civic rights, adding that “Enugu is the only state in the entirety of the South East where land grabbing has become top menu for officials of government and their cronies, especially those saddled with the responsibility of managing the Enugu State Ministry of Housing. This is nauseating and to say the least, disgraceful, for individuals who have received the mandate to administer our commonwealth.”
In the letter signed by the president of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Godspower and secretary, Mr. Ifeanyi Odo, they noted that Okechi overstepped his boundary as a commissioner by encroaching on the community’s land through dubious means.
“It beats our understanding to observe a serving commissioner take laws into his hands in the guise of an approval for clearing a refuse dump, only to embark on a demolition spree, something quite unheard of, in the history of Enugu State. We insist that this is totally unacceptable and uncalled for. These acts should not be condoned and should not even be allowed to be swept under the carpet in any guise whatsoever.
“We are dragging the focus of the International community to this dastardly act and pledge not to fold our arms and watch this devilish and wicked act by the Hon. Commissioner of Housing, go unpunished.
“Let it be known that, this parochial act of wickedness cannot be interpreted otherwise. It is a direct affront on our common sensibilities as well as a pure invitation to anarchy and does not, in the slightest of ways portray any regard for the dignity of human rights and civility.
“Some of us have been living in Europe and other Western countries for decades, and have toiled to save every cent to the dollar gathered, to purchase plots of land in Enugu State, as we journey towards retirement and for the ‘rainy day’. Alas! The rains came too soon with the actions of this Hon. Commissioner. This indiscriminate grabbing of land from legitimate owners, doesn’t give us the iota of hope and joy to relocate to a place, we call our home,” the petition stated.
They further appealed to Governor Ugwuanyi to urgently intervene in the matter for the interest of peace.
They said, “We are more than convinced, beyond reasonable doubt that, Your Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, whom we have high respect and regard for, may not have been properly briefed and addressed on this ongoing saga that has culminated for months, hence this clarion call for you to urgently intervene.
“We remain optimistic that, Your Excellency’s timely intervention will go a long way to quell the already heated tension generated as a result of the misgivings and excessive abuse of office by the Hon. Commissioner of Housing. This devilish, barbaric and ungodly act by the Commissioner of Housing should be stopped forthwith, as we shall not continue to treat it with kid gloves, sitting and watching as the situation further escalates.
“Irrespective of how the entire matter may have been communicated to you Sir, we would want to assume that the ever generous and God fearing man of the people, that the Enugu people voted for, is not fully briefed of the entire details of the ongoing scandal.
“We have utmost trust in Your Excellency and hope that, the cry and agony of the people would not be overlooked or left unattended to. We equally believe that you will not turn your back on us in this austere and trying times.
“We are reminded of the popular saying that, ‘Your greatest trophies are the tears you wipe away from people’s faces and not in the material things you acquire.’
“The People of Enugu and their brothers in the Diaspora are seeking your kind assistance. This would be the appropriate time to display the God- given talent bestowed on you as our Executive Governor and man of the people, reflecting the spirit of oneness, kindness, and magnanimity.
“We look forward to your swift intervention and an end to this mayhem especially by severely punishing those who may have orchestrated this nightmare in Ugwuaji Lands, amongst others.”
Meanwhile, the group disclosed that it would employ every means possible to ensure that justice and equity is achieved in the matter.
“In the light of the foregoing, we are therefore calling the concerted attention and audience of the SSA to Mr. President on foreign affairs and Diaspora, the apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, The Igbo World Assembly, The National Human Rights Commission, and other well-meaning organizations and leaders of thought, to urgently intervene and to ensure that, the Culprits are brought to book for their illegal actions, as we will not hesitate to apply whatever legal means available at our disposal, to seek for possible redress,” they concluded.
