The Obibor Community in the Ukwa Local Government Area of Abia has commended the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for the Abia Industrial Innovation Park, AIIP, and appealed that it should not be abandoned as other projects in Ukwa West embarked upon by previous governments in Abia. They recalled laudable projects like the Ogwe Golden Chicken, Umudobia International Market and the Obuaku City sited in their area that were abandoned by the Abia State government after lands have been taken from their people.
Speaking on behalf of the Umuachoeke, Umuogogo, Umungerugo and Umundugbe clans in the Obibor Community, on Friday, during the visit of the functionaries of the Abia State Government, Prince Ikechukwu Augustus, said the Community believed that the Otti’s government had come to liberate the people of Abia State.
He, however, added that since governments and politics were transient in the growth of societies, it would be good that all decisions reached between the government and the people were properly documented in the interest of the community that has decided to surrender their land in trust to the government, adding that many Abia State government projects involving land acquisitions in Ukwa West Ukwa in the past have failed.
Continuing, he said, “we are not opposed to the good intentions of government. We are not going to be a clog in the wheel of the progress of the project, but we want our agreement to be properly documented, and to include that if the project is not carried out by the present government that the land will revert to us, the original owners.
Earlier, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna stated that the government thought it very important to hold another round of engagement with the leadership of the four clans in the Obibor Community, whose land have been affected by the AIIP to ensure that the process of enumeration and valuation, which had commenced was executed seamlessly.
Prof. Ogbonna explained that the government of Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, did not believe in taking any land belonging to any Community by force, adding that it was the reason behind the several consultations the government has been holding with the communities affected by the AIIP project.
He informed that what was done for the other host communities would also be extended to them.
“We are not here to decieve any community. We have related harmoniously with the other four host communities, and we will like it to be the same with yours.” he said.
The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Commissioner also stated that the community was part of the project, stressing that the concerns of the community, as it relates to the project would be taken care of.
He said, “we are happy that since more than one month that we started the project, it has been moving on well. Whatever things you can do to let the project succeed, please do them.”
He said that the sincerity of the Otti’s administration could be seen from the projects that the government has done since its inception, and assured them that an agreement would be made, but at the end of the completion of all the processes involved in the land acquisition to ensure that the critical elements relating to land acquisition were captured.
Lending his voice, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, pointed out that once the vision of the Dr. Otti’s government with regards to the AIIP was realised, the entire landscape of Ukwa would wear a prosperous outlook, adding that the project would provide employment for people, and untimately engender growth.
Among those present during the meeting were; Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Pastor Okorougo Aji, Sir Osegbo Romanud, Valuer/Enumerator representing the Abia State Government, Chief Nwogu Nnah Nwogu, former NDDC Commissioner, Mr. Chibuzor Nnah and Chief Nwarie J.C.
