Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in Enugu South Local Government Area has firmly rejected the claims made by the Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities in Enugu North regarding the ownership of the land currently being developed by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC).
The Ogui Nike Communities had publicly asserted their ownership through a media publication; however, the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community countered that these claims were unverified and unfounded, pointing to relevant legal documents that substantiate their rightful ownership of the land.
Ugwuaji Awkunanaw stated that its four villages had registered their land portions with the Enugu State Ministry of Lands and Survey in three distinct layouts. Subsequently, the state government, via the Ministry of Housing, approached the community for the acquisition of these layouts, to which they consented.
The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah for the ongoing substantial infrastructure development in the Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate. They also praised the state government’s efforts to elevate the historic capital of Igboland into a renowned landmark worthy of its ancestral heritage.
Community leaders, including Barrister Sunday Ngene, Chibuike Ene, Ekeka Igwedinma, Amaechi Onah, and eight others, stated: “We wish to inform the discerning public about key facts regarding the unfounded claims of the Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities concerning ownership of the land being developed for the Enugu State Government by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation.
“First, prior to the acquisition, the four villages—Umunnugwu, Isiagu, Ndiaga, and Umunnajingene—registered their land estates with the Ministry of Lands, including the Umunnugwu/Ndiaga Layout, Promise Layout, and Valley Layout.
“Second, the Enugu State Government approached the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community for the acquisition of these layouts for the development of what is now known as the Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate. After thorough consultation, the community agreed to the government’s request.
“Third, by the Public Notice dated February 9, 2021, titled ‘Cancellation/Revocation of Layouts within Government Acquired Area and named Coal City Eastern Alliance Estate,’ the following layouts were directly affected: Valley Layout (Isiagu Village, Ugwuaji), Umunnugwu-Ndiaga Layout (Ugwuaji), and Promise Land Layout (Umunnaji Ngene, Ugwuaji).
“Fourth, following the cancellation/revocation by Notice of Acquisition (Ref: EN: 39902/2) dated April 29, 2021, the State Government formally acquired the layouts for the overriding public interest pertaining to a Low Cost Mass Housing Project.
“Fifth, the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community has two outstanding court judgments regarding the land in question: Suit No. E/44/70, delivered in 1987, and Suit No. E/96M/2017.
“These facts clearly establish that the true ownership of the land acquired by the Enugu State Government, and currently being developed into the Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate, belongs indisputably to the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community, as supported by recent court decisions.
“We urge the Enugu State Government not to be swayed by the antics of those attempting to undermine progress and the government’s efforts for rapid development in Coal City and Enugu State as a whole.”
