…says they’ll fight with the last drop of their blood
The Ozalla Abor community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State has raised alarm over alleged plan by few members of their community to clandestinely give out their land to the State Government without their knowledge.
This is even as they called on the state government to disregard such individuals as they’re agents of destruction that always seek to benefit from their misfortune.
The community stated this on friday, May 17th, 2024 when they led a peaceful protest to the Enugu State Housing Corporation, to inform them about the plot by the individuals to engage the government to take thier communal land through the back door.
Explaining thier ordeal in a separate speeches, the Community Chairman of Ozalla-abor, Ifeanyi Franklin, as well as the former Chairman, Honourable Osita Igwe, lamented that the people engaging in this dubious act are doing so out of thier selfish interest.
“We have been partnering with the state government . The came and took a very large parcel of our lands, at different locations. The places you’ve conquest estate, Veritage, Golf Annex and coal city view estates are all on our land. The remaining portion of land left is where about six indigenes of the community who are not executives nor holding any position in the community are trying to bring the government to come and take for their selfish interest, adding that when taken their offsprings will be left with nothing.
“If these people go ahead with thier plans, they will not like what they will see, there will be chaos in the community, they’ll seek for help but non will come their way. We assure these people that we will be calling their names anytime soon that we’ll fight with the last drop of our blood to stop this their sinister plan.”
Also, the Chairman of the Village Elders, Ichie Malachi Ochasi while reiterating their plight said thier children will suffer if the only inheritance left for them is taken away, stressing that they’ve given almost all they have already.
“We have given the state government many of our lands, this is the only remaining land for us and we wouldn’t want the government to take it too because that is the only place we can cultivate at the moment for us to be able to eat,” Malachi said.
They appealed to the state government not to deal with the impersonators as they don’t represent their community under any capacity while assuring of their continued support to the present administration.
Responding, the Managing Director of Enugu State Housing Corporation, Gerald Asogwa assured the community that the state government does not illegally acquire lands without the consent of the community and the current administration frowns at such act.
“The Government of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is not a government that forcefully takes people’s land without the consent or approval of the Community and Housing corporation, in line with Governor’s approach to community development only go into partnership with host community and we’re not involved in land grabbing.
He assured them that the corporation isn’t coming to take their land without their approval but if in the future they change their minds and wants to partner with the government, they should let them know and they’ll be happy with to work with them.
