Awka Community Protests With Coffin Over Forceful Takeover Of Lands
AWKA - A group of protesters from Eziano community in Awka have invaded the Anambra state secretariat otherwise known as Jerome Udorji secretariat around 12 noon today Thursday, our correspondent reports.
Ndibe.org gathers that the protesters, who were chanting war songs, "iwe na ewe anyi o, iwe!" meaning, "we are angry" were carrying placards, a banner and a white coffin. On the banner was written, "Lawrence Chinwuba is a cancer", "Hon Patrick Obianwu is a cancer", "please Obiano remove them before it is too late". The names of the duo mentioned were also inscribed on the coffin. The protesters reportedly barricaded the entrance to the office of the Head of service, shouting their grievances, while the security battled to control them.
On questioning one of them who spoke to our correspondent, he said they were aggrieved because the estate developer, Rockland Estates Ltd forcefully took their lands without paying compensation. He also complained that the state commissioner for Housing and Urban development, Chief Lawrence Chinwuba and one of the developers, Hon Patrick Obianwu were frustrating their efforts. He then called on Governor Obiano to come to their aid as their lands and means of livelihood were being taken from them.
You may recall that the Rockland estate located in Awka has been a subject of controversy. Last year almost 1,000 people from Ezinano community stormed the area and sealed it off over alleged non-payment of compensation for their land. The people, who were from 20 villages in the community, chased away the residents and artisans on the building sites. One of the community leaders Comrade Obi Ochijie had accused the owner of the estate, Mr Francis Obiene who acquired the property in 1979, of refusing to meet with the people after several calls and letters to him. The community thereafter sealed the estate gate with a chain and padlock, daring the owners to open them. It took the intervention of the police and some elders of the villages to get them to back off.
Also in December 2014, four youths from the communities were arrested and arraigned in court. They were accused of illegally collecting development levies from developers at the estate. The accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were however, granted bail in the sum of N100 000 each with two sureties in like sum. While adjourning the matter till March 5, 2015 for hearing, the presiding magistrate called on the parties involved to maintain peace and not take laws into their hands.
AWKA - A group of protesters from Eziano community in Awka have invaded the Anambra state secretariat otherwise known as Jerome Udorji secretariat around 12 noon today Thursday, our correspondent reports.
Ndibe.org gathers that the protesters, who were chanting war songs, "iwe na ewe anyi o, iwe!" meaning, "we are angry" were carrying placards, a banner and a white coffin. On the banner was written, "Lawrence Chinwuba is a cancer", "Hon Patrick Obianwu is a cancer", "please Obiano remove them before it is too late". The names of the duo mentioned were also inscribed on the coffin. The protesters reportedly barricaded the entrance to the office of the Head of service, shouting their grievances, while the security battled to control them.
On questioning one of them who spoke to our correspondent, he said they were aggrieved because the estate developer, Rockland Estates Ltd forcefully took their lands without paying compensation. He also complained that the state commissioner for Housing and Urban development, Chief Lawrence Chinwuba and one of the developers, Hon Patrick Obianwu were frustrating their efforts. He then called on Governor Obiano to come to their aid as their lands and means of livelihood were being taken from them.
You may recall that the Rockland estate located in Awka has been a subject of controversy. Last year almost 1,000 people from Ezinano community stormed the area and sealed it off over alleged non-payment of compensation for their land. The people, who were from 20 villages in the community, chased away the residents and artisans on the building sites. One of the community leaders Comrade Obi Ochijie had accused the owner of the estate, Mr Francis Obiene who acquired the property in 1979, of refusing to meet with the people after several calls and letters to him. The community thereafter sealed the estate gate with a chain and padlock, daring the owners to open them. It took the intervention of the police and some elders of the villages to get them to back off.
Also in December 2014, four youths from the communities were arrested and arraigned in court. They were accused of illegally collecting development levies from developers at the estate. The accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were however, granted bail in the sum of N100 000 each with two sureties in like sum. While adjourning the matter till March 5, 2015 for hearing, the presiding magistrate called on the parties involved to maintain peace and not take laws into their hands.
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