Barr. Obeagu, council chairman
The Isi-Uzo Local Government Council in Enugu State has reaffirmed its ownership of a parcel of land originally donated by the Ikem Ogor community in 1974, stating that the land now belongs to the government and the entire Isi-Uzo people.
In a statement released by Dr. Ike Onah, Special Adviser to the Council Chairman on Administration, the council debunked recent claims that it was forcefully developing an estate on land belonging to the Ikem community.
The council clarified that the land was officially alienated to the government more than 50 years ago.
“By virtue of alienation of the land to government around 1974, over 50 years ago, the land no longer belongs to the Ikem Ogor people, but to the government and entire people of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.”
The council expressed appreciation for the initial donation but criticized what it described as encroachment and unauthorized activities by members of the community on the land.
“Members of the community are encroaching on the local government land and building on it. Ikem people do not want the land developed because they want to grab it back. Community members have been trespassing on the land, pacillating and farming on it without authorization from the Local Government Council.”
In response to concerns raised about using the land for estate development, the council defended the move as part of its strategic urbanisation agenda.
“Housing or state development is part of the urbanisation programme of Isi-Uzo Local Government Council, as contained at page 41 of the Chairman’s manifesto.”
“The Chairman clearly stated there that Housing is a challenge in rural areas and that his administration would engage in housing or estate development to help provide affordable housing and basic amenities for the rural populace through private sector and individual investments.”
Citing similar projects elsewhere in the state, the council maintained its legal authority to proceed:
“The Council has the right to develop Estate, just as we have a GRA at Nsukka on Nsukka Local Government land, which was developed in the same way. This will help develop the rural area and stem the tide of urban migration. It is part of the Chairman’s programme towards moving Isi-Uzo from rural to urban status, moreso when the Governor of Enugu State has declared Ikem and Eha-Amufu as urban areas.”
The statement also shed light on underlying tensions following a recent boundary dispute involving the Ikem-Uno and Ikem-Nkwo autonomous communities.
“So, this did not go down well with the community as they earlier reached out to the Chairman and thought he was going to take sides with them.”
“They also claimed the land was ceded to government that they would be receiving royalty in regard. However, the Chairman asked them to produce both their survey documents and the said agreement. They have not produced any till date.”
The council noted that while many residents of Ikem had expressed interest in purchasing plots within the proposed estate, some became dissatisfied upon learning the land would not be allocated for free.
“The other truth is that several Ikem people had reached out to the Council Chairman indicating interest in the Housing Development and inquiring whether the estate is only for Ikem people, but were told that it is meant for the entire Isi-Uzo people as the land no longer belongs to one community, but the entire people of Isi-Uzo LGA.”
“Again, contrary to their wrong assumption that the land would be allocated freely to people, the Council Chairman told them to apply and pay the necessary fees like others. This did not sit well with many of them.”
Isi-Uzo Local Government urged the Ikem Ogor community to stay clear of the property and refrain from obstructing the council’s development plans.
“The land does not belong to them and they have no right to dictate, direct or determine for the Council what development projects that the Council should carry out on its land.”
