Abia community opposes proposals for lands acquisition
The people of Umuawa in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State have alleged that the Federal Housing Authority, FHA is planning to grab their community lands through unapproved acquisition.
The members of the community who embarked on a peaceful protest, Wednesday morning at Umuawa, made it clear that the large expanse of lands is their only source of livelihood and therefore can not be given out.
The community members comprising women, youths and other leaders, flaunted different placards, some of which warned of hunger and if their lands were taken away from them.
Addressing Journalists during the protest, the immediate past President General of Umuawa, Chukwuma Abraham and the President of the Umuezerola community, Nduka Ogwumike made it clear that the members of the communities have not been notified of any plans to acquire their community lands.
They said there were strong rumours that a few powerful individuals from the community had been settled to surrender community lands, even without their knowledge and consent.
According to the members of the community, the lands in question belong to different autonomous communities that make up Umuawa and also some private individuals who bought lands in the areas.
The community members expressed surprise that announcements on radio stations in Abia State are claiming that the members of the community have been briefed about the acquisition plans, saying that no such briefing happened.
While they said that they are not against the government’s development programs, they called for transparent engagement and proper sensitization of the indigenes.
Efforts made by Newsmen to hear from the traditional ruler of the Opara Na Nkaru Awa autonomous community, Eze Abel Ogbonna Ezechukwu were not successful as his palace was locked from behind even as natives gathered in front of the palace.
However, three truckloads of Abia State joint security outfit arrived at the community by 10am, to maintain peace and prevent the breakdown of law and order.
