By Innocent Onyeukwu
Again, the Imo State Government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Amawom community in Owere Nchi Ise, Owerri municipality are at daggers drawn over government’s illegal possession of one their ancestral lands located along Onitsha road.
This is coming on the heels of several months after a law court in Owerri had ceased hostilities between the community and the State government over the latter’s resolve to forcefully take over Area k land, located along World Bank Housing estate, Owerri
The court injunction compelled the State government to hands off the land after men, women and youths of the community had kept vigil on Area k land for three months.
This time, the State government has moved not only to acquire but develop and build stalls at Ekwema GRA layout along Onitsha road without the consent of Amawon community, owners of the land.
Amawom is one of the villages that make up Owere Nchi Ise.
Weekend Trumpeta observed that the State Government forcefully took over the land, anchoring its reason for doing so on the basis that it is carrying out its intention of building another link road from Onitsha road to Orlu road to ease off traffic congestion at Assumpta Avenue.
According to a pressure group in the community, Renaissance led by former Owerri municipal Council Chairman, Ebere Mac Donald, they condemned the flagrant abuse of the rule of law by the government by not obeying court proceedings since the said land has been in court dating 2010 with suit no. HOW/140/2010 which was obeyed by the previous government.
In a Statement by the group, they condemned government’s action in trying to create the impression that Amawom people are rejecting development and destroying government properties, despite the fact that they have given over 95% of their land for developmental purposes.
The people, through the group, also condemned governments’ resort to employ Hausa thugs (Nomads) at the Ekwema GRA Onitsha road as measure to unleash terror on them, thus creating a platform for breakdown of law and order and possible anarchy in the area.
They called on “well meaning Imo people, Nigerian citizens and the international community to note that we(Amawom people) are suffering as a people living on top of gutters, suffocating in one room “face me-I- face you. A clear inspection of where we live will leave the inspectors in tears of how people are sequestrated, annihilated and prone to the possible extinction of their homeland”
Meanwhile, another kindred in Owerri known as Umuokoro/Onunwaokporo also in Amawom community have cautioned the State government to desist from the habit of hijacking every land they own.
Chairman of the Clan, Chief Obinga John Igwe in a press conference, advised the government of Imo State to allow them have free access to the lands in dispute which he said belongs to them by heritage.
He said “It was the past government of Ikedi Ohakim who hijacked these lands in dispute without our consent. We went to court so that government can leave our lands alone for us”
Chief Obinga called on Governor Okorocha to allow the Court to decide since the case is still in court.
Speaking also, a leader in the clan, Chief festus Njoku, who is one of the owners of the land possessed by government, appealed to the state government to stop suppressing them in the name of development.
He said “we are not in opposition nor engaged in propaganda against Imo State Government. We have given about 90% of our lands to the government and asked them to allow us control the remaining 10% of these lands”
When Weekend Trumpeta contacted the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chief Uche Nwosu for comments, his phone rang without response. The PRO of the ministry when contacted promised to speak on the issue after consulting with the honourable commissioner. No response came forth from the Ministry as at press time.
