– Rejects Proposed Cattle Ranching Project
Residents of Umuapu autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State have decried the alleged invasion of their ancestral farmlands by the state government. The community claims that the government has started destroying their crops and economic trees without consultation or compensation.
About 500 hectares of farmland belonging to the Umuapu people have allegedly been acquired by the government without following due process. The community has rejected the government’s plan to use the lands for cattle ranching under the forcefully acquired land for RUGA settlement program.
At a press conference held at Umuapu, community leaders, including Hon. Luke Chukwu and Obiukwu Hyacinth Onyema, protested against the government’s actions. “We are not against development, but we cannot fold our hands and watch our means of livelihood being taken away from us without being consultstion^ Hon. Luke Chukwu said.
The community leaders maintained that the land is not in dispute and that they are the rightful owners. “Chinedu Akpelu’s claim to the land is baseless,” Obiukwu Hyacinth Onyema said. “We have been farming on this land for generations, and we will not give it up without a fight.” They also maintained that Barr Marcellinus Nlemigbo who has some portions of land within the axis is not in dispute with Umuapu.
The community emphasized that farming is their main source of livelihood and asked the government to forget the plans to acquire their farmlands. Instead, they urged the government to focus on providing infrastructure and developing the region.
They wondered why the government chose to acquire their lands without following due process, despite depriving them of appointment into political positions, and provision of infrastructure in Umuapu and the entire Ohaji Nation.
They argued that there are large portions of land in Ngor-Okpala, Oru East, and other parts of Imo State that can be used for cattle ranching for Fulani herdsmen. “Why Ohaji?” they asked.
The community leaders noted that the government’s actions would lead to hunger and anguish, as the farmlands are their only source of livelihood. They urged the government to allow peace to reign in Umuapu by looking for lands elsewhere for its alleged cattle ranching project.
The Umuapu community’s protest according to some concerned Imolites highlights concerns about the impact of the RUGA program on local communities and the environment. The government must balance its plans for development with the needs and rights of local communities.
^The community’s demands for the government to leave their lands and focus on providing infrastructure and developing the region are reasonable and deserve consideration. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the Umuapu community’s demands^.
In a final plea, the Umuapu indigenes said, “Leave our ancestral farmlands, concentrate on putting up or harnessing working infrastructure, engaging the youths positively and using ISOPADEC funds to develop the region, as well as lifting humanity from poverty.”
The ball is now in the government’s court, and the people of Umuapu await a response to their demands. Will the government listen to their pleas, or will the standoff continue? Only time will tell.
