The land-grabbing allegations against the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, took a dramatic turn over the weekend as Hon. Okechukwu Mbah, the Member representing Nkanu East State constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, raised significant concerns regarding the purported Federal Government project, which he insisted is a new attempt to seize their land.
It’s important to note that the Enugu State government had responded to an imminent threat by halting the controversial construction of a Biomass-Based Methanol Plant, initiated by the Energy Commission of Nigeria in the state.
Speaking to reporters in his office, Mbah questioned the legitimacy of the project, stating that a multi-billion-naira venture, as claimed by the Minister, cannot be executed in such a manner. He pointed out that this is the same land that the Minister had previously attempted to acquire under the guise of establishing a rice factory. “When that failed and after he (Nnaji) became a minister, he returned to the land with a supposed federal government project, all in an effort to take over our people’s land, which has long been a point of contention between the Amagunze community in Nkanu East LGA and the Akpugo community in Nkanu West LGA,” he asserted.
The lawmaker expressed further suspicion regarding Minister Nnaji’s failure to notify either the Enugu State Government or any local councils in Nkanu East or Nkanu West about the project.
He questioned why the project, located on Amagunze land, was labelled as belonging to the Akpugo community on the signboard, despite the clear map delineating the land’s location.
“According to the Land Use Act of 1978, all land is vested in the hands of the governors to manage. How can a project of this scale—reportedly worth 40 billion naira—be cited without the state and local governments being informed? We expect proper engagement with various levels of government for a project of this nature.
“This project is anticipated to generate by-products, necessitating an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Where is this report? These essential steps have not been taken.”
Hon. Mbah insisted that Chief Nnaji owes them an explanation about the situation, as all evidence suggests there is no federal government project worth 40 billion naira on their land. While emphasising that they welcome federal government projects in their community, he insisted such initiatives must be conducted properly and through the appropriate channels.
The lawmaker appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, investigating why a project purportedly located in Nkanu East at the Amagunze local government council headquarters was labelled as situated in Nkanu West LGA. He conveyed to the president, “The people of Nkanu East would be glad to have any project from the federal government, and we have ample land available for donation.”
Mbah concluded by urging the state government to swiftly utilise the state Boundary Committee to address the dispute between the two communities, thereby resolving the larger issue between Nkanu East and West concerning the ownership of the land.
