The controversy trailing the brief relocation of Imo State University, IMSU to Ogboko, in Ideato South LGA, by Governor Rochas Okorocha is yet to abate, as the community has demanded the return of land to their owners.
According to Imo Trumpeta findings, the people of Ogboko are vehemently fighting for the parcel of land, which was allegedly “sited” Imo State University, about a few months ago.
The said land which now houses gigantic structures, has been renamed the Imo European University by His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Despite the change in name, the Ogboko community insists that their lands must be returned to them or they go to court to challenge the matter.
A reliable source from Ogboko, which is the village of Gov Okorocha, told Imo Trumpeta that the land in question runs into hectares of land, which the community happily gave out to host Imo State University.
The sources however said that since the IMSU project has failed, because the Institution has been relocated to Owerri Zone, where it was domiciled before now, the community had no alternative than to demand a return of their land, back to the owners.
The source went on to say that the only agreement they had with Gov Okorocha was that IMSU would be sited at Ogboko, not another University of whatever name.
He said that although Gov Okorocha had requested for the land for over Ten years now to build a private University, the community refused, pointing out that it was only when the issue of IMSU arose, that the community decided to release their land to realize the objective of IMSU on their area.
Therefore, since Imo European University is not IMSU, which was the earlier agreement on the land, it means that the land must be returned to the owners.
He maintained that if the squabble was not amicably resolved by giving back the land to their original owners, they would head to court.
Asked if there was compensation paid the owners before the commencement of the structures, he said the issue of compensation was not the problem, as they were assured that they would get it, but should not disrupt the construction going on at the site, since the people of Ogboko and other surrounding communities would reap the development IMSU would attract to the area.
However, Imo Trumpeta gathered that the member representing Ideato South in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Ikechukwu Amuka and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Eze Madumere have delved into the matter and called for cease fire, from the people while they look into the matter.
When Imo Trumpeta visited the site at Ogboko, one of the construction workers who spoke to our reporter directed him to an indigene of the area.
Speaking to our Imo Trumpeta, the indigene confirmed that the people are restless over the development, pointing out that what they were told before they released their land was that IMSU would be relocated there, not Imo European University.
He said that the matter which brought Hon Amuka to the site was the question of encroachment, as the contractors are going further than the portion agreed on the land.
The source thanked Gov Okorocha for attracting development to Ogboko through the University, pointing out that left for him, it does not matter whether it is IMSU or European University that is sited on the land, but added that the final decision depends on those whose lands were on the site, and the people of Ogboko in general.
