Gov. Umahi takes over disputed land in Izzi LGA.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has taken over the disputed hectares of land in Izzi Local Government Area to prevent further bloodshed between the people of Mkpuma-Ekwoku and Ogwuzeru-Onweya communities.He announced the decision of the state government when he visited the disputed land few hours after three people were reportedly killed and several houses burnt by youths of the two communities on Sunday.
Umahi said: “Our position as government is that anywhere we have land dispute, government, which, is naturally the owner of land, will take it over. So from today, that is 14th of November, the entire land that is in contention is hereby revoked and taken over by the government. So, nobody will farm on this land again; it becomes government land.”
The governor in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emma Anya, announced a donation of N10million for the rebuilding of the burnt houses and provision of relief material for the victims.
He also directed political appointees from the Council to forfeit 50 percent of their allowances towards rebuilding the houses.