• Enugu community, government bicker over land
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
• Protesters at Nchatancha
All is not well with the people of Nchatancha, Nike, Enugu East Local Government, Enugu State, following moves by government to acquire their expanse of land for the development of the proposed New Enugu City.
They trooped out to protest the action stating that they had agreed to hand over about 250 hectares of land to the government for the project. But to their surprise, “government is now laying claim to even our homes and farmlands.”
•Villagers cry for help
They alleged that some people were shot by soldiers and policemen sent by government to protect those carrying out the demolition exercise, while teargas was used to disperse other villagers.
President General, Nchatancha Nike Community, Chief Michael Okoh, said: “The problem is because the government is taking 80 per cent of the land in the community. They say they are taking it for New Enugu City. We are not saying that we are not giving them land.
“The community had agreed to give them 245 hectares of land to take and for them to collect from other communities but they refused. They want to push us out of our community and we don’t know where they want us to go. That is why my community is protesting. The government has started demolition.
“Today, (February 17, 2024), about 50 bulldozers are there demolishing our community; both people’s houses and crops. The 14-military-man who are giving cover to those doing the demolition shot some people. I want people to talk to our governor.
“Maybe our governor does not know that such a thing is happening because the Commissioner for Works is the cause of this thing. It is possible that the governor does not know what is happening. If he told the governor, he would not allow this kind of thing here in Nchatancha Nike.”
A youth leader, Anayo Nnamani, said: “We all voted for Peter Mbah and got a problem in return. They came into people’s ancestral lands because we do not have anybody to speak for us. The one he was given is big enough but he wants where we have already developed. It is not good.
“All these houses you are seeing were built by individuals. If he does this, are we expected to perch in the air? This is how he is paying us back for voting for him. There is a portion we gave him, over 200 hectares but he wants to take even the place we live.”
Another villager, Obinna Onyeachonam, who claimed that her house was already marked for demolition, said that she never dreamt that a day would come when she would be forced to leave her home for any reason.
Also, Agnes Nwankwo, said: “They pulled down our house. They destroyed all our properties. Even the cash crops in my farm were not spared. They never told us anything, nor have they paid any compensation. The day they came, my husband went for a checkup at the hospital. Since I was married into this family, this is the only place I have known.”
Notwithstanding, Nnenna Nwekete pleaded with the government to halt their actions as the continued demolition would leave the villagers homeless with nowhere to go: “This has not just affected me but my entire relatives. Their houses have been marked for demolition. They know how much garri costs in the market. But they entered my farm and destroyed everything. What do they want us to do in Nchatancha Nike?”
Commissioner for Works, Gerald Otiji, responded: “Government is not taking anybody’s land. The interest of the government is to harness the land in Enugu State to the advantage of its people; the owners of the land and the people of Enugu State.
“You are aware that sometime in the past, there was a gas flare around the area. Government would not like for anybody to be hurt around there. So, all discussions about land will take place before any action is taken. It is important to note that some people like to ignite the feelings of the people into such protests.
“This is a peaceful government that likes discussions for any action to be taken. Those who are embarking on the protest are only doing so to smear the government unnecessarily. Consultation is not a day’s job.
“It is an on going process but we have realised that some people use opportunities like that to vent their political interest and try to create unnecessary tension around the issue at stake.”