• As FG directs SETRACO to fix failed portion
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba and Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
VEHICULAR movement on the busy East-West Road was halted yesterday for several hours due to protest by the people of Uvwie kingdom in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The placard-bearing protesters accused the Nigerian Army of illegal acquisition and sale of over 185.20 hectares of their land.
They besieged Effurun roundabout axis of the East-West road at about 6:00am in large numbers, causing gridlock and called on the Federal Government to prevail on the Army authorities to release their land back to them.
Addressing the protesters earlier at his palace, Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, said the army had illegally acquired more than what was originally stated in what was given to them by the Uwvie people.
“When I ascended the throne, we made several attempts to get back some of the the unoccupied areas by the army. We generously gave them over 2,000 hectares in 1974 with the aim of establishing the Nigeria Defence Academy but, unfortunately, the academy was moved to Kaduna.
“We then asked that the unoccupied part of the land be returned since the academy is no more here. We approached them but no response, rather, my subjects have been deprived of living in the place. Three years ago, they marked even the villages to be demolished which was not part of the land given to them. They have illegally extended the land without our knowledge,” the monarch said.
On his part, President General of the Uvwie General Improvement Union, Austin Ukuwrere, explained that the land in question was the unused piece of land after the completion of the construction and occupation of the 3 Battalion Barracks, Effurun in 1979 by the army.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed SETRACO Nigeria Limited to fix the failed portion of the road.
A statement by Director of Press, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Marshall Gundu, in Abuja, yesterday, said the attention of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, was drawn to a failed portion on the road, less than 50 metres after Kaima Bridge in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Gundu said according to the report, the damaged portion had caused untold hardship to commuters.
The ministry also urged commuters and other road users to be patient with the Federal Government.
Grundu also said the minister added that the contractor has confirmed immediate action, which is being monitored.
“The minister said government is grateful for the responsibility of public feedback.”
the statement concluded.