The people of Egwe Autonomous Community in Oguta LGA,Imo State, have raised alarm over what they described as an unlawful encroachment and forceful takeover of their ancestral land by the the Authority of the Local Council in the area.
The Community, raised the alarm following recent publication from Oguta LGA, through its Committee Chairman on land recovery, Nwamkpa Modestus restraining them from entering and making use of the land formerly designated as Oruru / Government Station Layout during the administration of Gov Sam Mbakwe which was not implemented by that administration.
Speaking with our reporter, the land committee chairman of the Community, Mr. Vitus Onwudiwe buttressed the fact that the land in question was only mentioned as part of Government plan then to be used as Station Layout which was not processed because of the short lived administration of Mbakwe.
He maintained that there are no documents from the side of Government to back up its claim of ownership of the particular land
“Where is Government survey plan and documentation of this said land?
Who and who signed and handed over this said land to Government and under which conditions was it signed?”, he asked.
The land committee chairman further asked if there was any perimeter survey inorder to ascertain how many hectares of land was involved and if there was any MoU or written agreement between the Government, Community and individual landowners whose land are involved in that particular area.
Mr. Onwudiwe in unison with Egwe Progressive Union,EPU, hinted that the native owners of the land have been making use of that particular land without any hindrance until the recent publication purportedly issued from the local council authority in the area.
He further maintained that the Community as stakeholders should be in the know of what ever is being discussed about the said land,rather than beimg taken unaware.
Mr Onwudiwe avowed that the Community will take every necessary action within the law to resist attempts from any person or group trying to takeover their land in the guise of Government.
He accused the Local Government authority of trying to use the name of the State Government to take their land for personal interest.
” If Government is interested in taking our land for the general wellbeing of the people, there is nothing wrong about it, but due process must be followed and the host community must have MOU with genuine govt officials from the Ministry of lands,he posited.
The land committee chairman also informed that the Community through their lawyer, has written to the office of the State Governor ,Sen Hope Uzodinma, the State Ministry of Land and the State Housing Corporation informing them of the abnormal development.
