Women of Umueri, a town in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State took to the street to protest against what they described as outright theft by the State Governor; Chief Willie Obiano whom they alleged has used the Umueri Cargo Airport as a ploy to grab all their lands illegitimately.
On 11th April 2017 Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, launched the Umueri Cargo Airport project, saying the development, costing more than USD 2 billion, would be an ‘Airport City’, a new airport with two runways, aviation fuel and aircraft maintenance facilities, airport hotel, business park and international convention centre.
On 22nd June 2017 it was reported that the community of Umueri, a town north of the site, had asked the state government to pay full compensation and fulfil other conditions before discussing further land acquisition for the Airport City. During a visit by members of the Anambra State Land Acquisition Committee the traditional community ruler of Umueri, His Royal Majesty Igwe Ben Emeka Iluone, Okebo II expressed gratitude to the State Governor for choosing Umueri to site the project but was concerned that the three-part compensation plan had only partially been executed. He urged the committee to prevail on the surveyor, who had been furnished with banking details, to urgently complete transactions to make payments to Umueri landowners. He said that as soon as the government completed the compensation plan the Umueri community would be willing to discuss the new proposal of further land acquisition for the Airport City.
Angered by the failure of the state government to pay adequate compensation, the Women were seen chanting “Obiano Onye Ori, oñu Kai Kai”!! (Obiano is a thief and a drunk)
The APGA led Government which is celebrating it’s 7th year in office amidst pomps and champs has promised to Commission the Umueri International Cargo Airport before leaving office.
Watch the video of the protesting women below:
Credit: Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya
