ANAMBRA STATE: SEEK PEACEFUL RESOLUTION ON LAND MATTERS – GOVT. ADVISED
The Anambra State Government has called on committees having land issues to always seek peaceful resolution of matters especially when it has to do with boundary disputes.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu made the call in Awka when some residents of Umoudu Village, Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area stormed Government House to register their displeasure over incursion of farmlands by people of Ezinano Awka.
There has been growing concern from the public over rising cases of communal clash owing to land and boundary disputes among some communities. The situation has led to loss of lives and destruction of property in odekpe, Ala , Omor, Umunbo, Achalla, Amanuke, among other communities in Anambra State.
This prompted the people of Umuodu village , Okpuno to take to peaceful protest to let governemnt and security agents come to their rescue before the situation leads to clash between them and the Ezinano community. Umoudu Is one of the villages that make up Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the people of Umoudu Village, their farmlands had been encroached upon by the people of Ezinano community leading to destruction of farm produce. The people carried placards with various inscriptions like, Ezinano leave Umodu and farmland alone, our land is not for sale, Governor Willie Obiano came to our rescue, we need government intervention among others as the men and women chart solidarity songs to the Government House.
Their Spokesperson , Chief Fabian Nweke said the village have lost several hectares of land to the land grabbers who invade the area. Chief Nweke said they resorted to peaceful protest to alert government of the development which had led to series of attacks on Umoudu Farmers.
Two women Mrs Maria Okonkwo and Mrs Amoka Ifejimala narrated that their farm produce including cassava, plantain and crops were being destroyed by the invaders from Ezinano . Addressing them , the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu commended the people for conducting themselves peacefully and not taking laws into thier hands.
Professor Chukwulobelu later directed them to meet with the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Doctor Nkem Okeke who is also the Chairman Boundary Committee for their matter to be looked into by the government.
UCHE NDEKE