By victor madumere
The lingering crisis between the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and her ten host communities over acquisition and boundaries issue may soon become history with the recent intervention of the Imo state House of Assembly (IMHA).
An IMHA ad-hoc committee headed by Hon (Dr) Victor Ndunagu member representing Mbaitolu state constituency, has also, Hon Innocent Ekeh (Owerri West) Hon Ngozi Pat-Ekeji (Aboh Mbaise) Barr Chris Duru (IMHA Clerk) as members. Nnemedu KC is the committee Clerk, recently moved into restore peace as they visited the two parties to hear from them and ascertain their grievances in order to proffer lasting solution and peace.
Addressing the management of FUTO at school Senate chamber and the Host committee monarchs at Eze Muruako’s palace, the committee chairman, Hon Ndunagu disclose that their visit was as a result of an unpalatable reports send to the IMHA over the recently unrest in the university and host communities resulting in destruction of school properties and arrest of indigenes, he maintained that if nothing is urgently done to restore peace it might escalate to higher danger.
The committee through the chairman also reveal that they are on a fact finding mission as directed by the leadership of the IMHA and the state government, to find out from the two parties the root cause of the face-off, noting that it has been on record before now that both communities have remained/lived in Cordilal relationship, despite some normal disagreements.
In his response, the vice chancellor of FUTO Prof Asiabaka Chigozie, thanked both the committee members, IMHA leadership and the state government for having the interest of the university at heart, as he submitted that the school community/management is open for peace and welcomes any peace action. The V.C said that the school has never been in any logger head with the host until recently when people were allegedly instigated to demonstrate against the utilization and development of FUTO land embarked upon by the school authorities.
Speaking also, the director of project and planning (DPP) Engr Nnanna Okoro, said he could not understand why the host communities are making troubles over land with FUTO when the school has not gone out of she official 4500 lectres of land, which he said has parameter fencing and survey plan.
Responding on behalf the ten host communities, Eze J.O Muruako of Iheagwa, holds that FUTO has more than 4000 hectres of land but their grievance he said include , shoddy acquisition and fraudulent payment of compensation, which is base on 1997 lower rate, which they said should be review. Other issues include non consideration of host communities in the area of admission, employment and contracts.
The reverend monarch however blamed the recent face off on the unguarded utterances of the new pro-chancellor Dr Emmanuel Enemuo and wondered why such an seasoned administrator should be made a council head in a premier institution like FUTO.
