The people of Umuneri village in Isuanaocha community in Awka North Council Area have carried out a peaceful protest at the Light House/Government House Awka, over a lingering land issue.
The protesters made up of young and old as well as men and women, who were chanting songs, also carried placards with inscriptions such as.. “Umuneri Village, Isuanaocha… Soludo, we can’t eat concrete, save Our farmland”. “ASHC, Our Land is not for Grabs”. “Umuneri Village Isuanaocha ASHC Stop Land Grabbing, Our History Lives On, Don’t Erase it”. Etc
They sent an SOS to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to their rescue by resolving the longstanding land dispute between the community and the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, ASHDC.
The Chairman of the Village Peace Committee, Engineer Francis Chukwuebuka Udeh, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said the land dispute started over 20 years ago, adding that many Managing Directors of the State Housing Corporation have come and gone without the matter being resolved, which was why they voted massively for Soludo because they believed that he would hand the matter with justice and fairness.
The group’s spokesperson also revealed that the village donated 54.27 hectares of land to government, wondering how many communities can be so benevolent in donating such expanse of land.
Engineer disclosed that there had earlier been a Court Consent judgement regarding the land issue which the housing corporation had refused to honour, and appealed to the governor to prevail on the corporation to abide by the judgement.
“We have been on this is for more than 20 years”.
“Managing Directors of Housing Corporation have come and gone, but did not want to resolve the issue. That is why we came to the governor as the father of the State who we believe, is a just Governor….. “It doesn’t mean that when one person is more powerful, he should eliminate the other.
“We have written the governor. There had been a Court Consent judgement but they violated that judgment. And still went on demolishing our buildings. Our people can no longer farm. We we the governor to call them to order”.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Umuneri Village, Chief Geoffrey Udeh and another stakeholder, Chief Jonathan Nwankwo, lamented that their property on the disputed land are being demolished, while their youths are being threatened by outsiders who bought lands, thinking that they were scammed by the youths.
Responding, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who addressed the protesters on behalf of the governor, said he would take their message to the governor whom, he believes, would handle the matter after hearing from all walks concerned.
The protesters also carried their complaints to St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, to see the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, to beg him to intervene.
The Cathedral Administrator, Father Charles Ndubisi, who received the protesters on behalf of the Bishop, told them that the Bishop joined other Bishops on Ad Limina visit to Pope Leo in Rome, promising to deliver their message when he comes back.
The Cathedral Administrator expressed hope that the Bishop would reach everyone involved for peaceful resolution of the matter.
Later in an interview, the Managing Director of Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, Chike Anyaonu, affirmed that he inherited the Green Valley Estate land dispute on assumption of office, but assured that discussions are on among all parties involved to ensure that the over twenty years land dispute is resolved Ani ably
