By Nkechi Ojukwu
The indigenes of Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, and their counterparts in Obinze and Oforola communities in Owerri West LGA, have appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma come to their aid over alleged land encroachment by the 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze.
The protesters who made the appeal through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor Uzodinma on Land Recovery, regretted that their ancestry land occupied by the 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, without the consent of their fathers or any form of consultation in the 1970s, through Aerial Survey has deeply affected the peasant farmers in those communities.
In their latter to the Governor Uzodimma , the three communities stressed that their rich agricultural land and their ancestry heritage that is the source of their livelihood, has been allegedly taken by over the Army has led to unimaginable sufferings, pains, depression, frustration and untimely death as most families could no longer earn a living through agriculture.
According to them, “The Army overlapped and occupied more of our lands right up to the back yard of our houses as it stands now, there is no more space for the present and future generations to expand”.
They recalled that “on the right axis alone of the occupied land where the Army Barracks is located, a large swath of 1,058 hectares going by the 1977/78 survey map, but 180 hectares is occupied since more than forty years ago,” the communities lamented.
They called on the governor to promptly intervened iin their serious, precarious situation as according to them, expansion has become difficult for the communities.
The letter to the governor signed by some leaders in the area including Chief Sam Jack Ihezuo, Village Head Amakohia Mgbirichi, Comrade G. C. Ibeawuchi, Oji Ofo of Amakohia Mgbirichi, Uchendu Orie, Secretary Amakohia Mgbirichi Umunna Family Meeting among others, the communities among others things, demanded ” That the Army limit themselves to the sole purpose of the acquisition, building the Military Barracks and release the excess occupied land to us, The Land was not made for them as estate to be sold and make profit, while the owners who are peasant farmers are striped without any room for expansion or farming…The payment of adequate compensation for the land acquired in 1977/78.”
Addressing the protesters, the Special Adviser to the Governor Uzodinma on Land Recovery, Hon Paschal Nwakanma , assured them that their matter would get to the governor immediately he returned to the state from Abuja and that his office woild embark on investigation and feed back would be given to them .
Hon Nwakanma, who promised that the protesters should give him seven days,, said he would ensure a lasting solution to the land issues because the Governor Uzodimma is not a land grabber and does not support any of land grabbing.
He reassured that there would be peace between the hosts communities of Army Barracks in Obinze and environs and thanked them for bringing the matter to the notice of the state government.
He also urged the women among the protesters to maintain peace for which they are known.
