Tension Mounts As Umuneri-Isu-Aniocha youths challenge government’s acquisition of communal land

By CHUKWUJEKWU ILOZUE

Youths of Umuneri village, Isu-Aniocha community in Awka North local council area are up in arms over claims by Anambra State Government agency that it has acquired 108 plots of land belonging to the village.

Only valid proof of acquisition of the land will put the matter to rest, the community has warned.

In a press briefing in Awka after their emergency meeting yesterday, chairman of Umuneri Village Assembly, Isu – Ani-Ocha, Mr. Uchenna Eziamaka challenged government to show valid acquisition papers and agreement, it used in acquiring their communal lands in order to put to rest the lingering crisis between it’s agent, the Housing Development Corporation Awka, and their village Leadership.

Eziamaka said the youths became worried over the incessant harassment and bullying of their parents by thugs and security agents from the Housing Corporation, and decided to resolve all the crisis over the land once and for all.

This the youths said was after publications by the Housing Development Corporation Awka in the media that 118 plots were validly acquired from Umuneri Village Isu-Aniocha in 2014/2015 with compensation paid.

They appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to ensure peace is restored to Umuneri Village Isu-Aniocha as he did with the Community Secondary school Isu- Aniocha land.

The Youths warned that if after 2 weeks these valid acquisition papers and agreement are not made available they will have no choice than to join forces with their leadership and elders to fight encroachers of their communal land with whatever it takes.

They also warned that Umuneri village, Isu-Aniocha youths will not tolerate further intimidation and harrassement of their people over the land as the village has no boundaries with Ezinano Village Awka which the government is merging their lands with a

to host Green Valley Housing Estate Awka.

The youths said it is insulting for Mr. Willie Okafor, Managing Director of the Anambra Housing Development Corporation to say in a publication that their land was acquired from Ezinano Village Awka, and warned prospective buyers of the land not to risk losing their money.

They reiterated that Umuneri Village has no boundaries with Ezinano Village Awka, and referred the Housing Corporation to a letter written to it and Governor Willie Obiano among others by Chief Lawrence Ofulume led elders insisting that no land of Umuneri Village was given to anyone or Government.

They insisted that even the 54.72 hectares allegedly planned to be given to Housing Development Corporation by some third party as alluded by their elder’s spokesperson, Chief Augustine Nwankwo Okafor in the publication by Corporation without the approval of the Umuneri Village Assembly will not stand unless the government shows valid acquisition papers and agreement between the government and Umuneri people.

They denied knowledge of destroying Government property as they are peacemakers and not trouble makers# (  Daily Independent)