Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has intervened
in the lingering land dispute between Obube and Umuowa communities in Owerri
North Ngor Okpala Local Government Areas of Imo State and the Nigeria Air Force
(NAF) Regiment 211.
The governor, who was accompanied by the Commandant
of 211 Regiment Group, Group Captain Phillip Elisha Bindul, and top government
functionaries, visited the area to resolve the rift between the parties
involved, and sued for peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He said the purpose of his visit to the communities
is to identify the actual boundary of the land allocated to NAF Regiment 211;
ascertain contentious issues involved, and seek the cooperation of the host
communities in order to allow peace and development thrive in the area.
Ihedioha appealed to the community to ensure that
the matter is withdrawn from the courts, and ordered the revocation of any land
that was not in the original allocation and wrongly ceded to the NAF Regiment
211.
The governor further advised the host communities
to appreciate the role and contribution of the NAF through the 211 Regiment in
the area, stating that they are committed to ensuring security and development
to the communities.
He assured the host communities that the state government
would partner them to ensure that lands not used for the purpose by the Force
will be used for agricultural purposes.
The governor disclosed that the state would provide
5,000 hectares of land in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for
agriculture, and tasked the community to key into the project by making land
available.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the 211 Regiment
Group, Group Captain Phillip Elisha Bindul, lamented how litigations in the court have hindered work on the proposed
site.
He said the NAF was allocated 100 hectares of land
for the construction of the 211 Regiment, and as a law-abiding security agency,
will not exceed the boundary allocated to it.
The commandant assured the governor of NAF commitment to maintaining a harmonious relationship with the host
communities.
The Traditional Ruler of the area, Eze Jude Chidi
Nwaogu, commended Ihedioha for his prompt intervention in the dispute, and
assured him of their cooperation and support for a peaceful resolution, adding
that the people are desirous of peace and development of their communities.
He blamed the past state Governor, Rochas Okorocha,
for the crisis, noting the original allocation for the NAF was 100 hectares but
was allegedly enlarged to 5,000 hectares by the past administration.
He called for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between the host communities and the NAF to ensure the success of the project.
Present at the parley were a member representing Aboh
Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon.
Bede Eke; Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SSG), Hon. Uche Onyeagucha;
Commissioners for Justice, Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN); Commissioner for Land, Bon
Ukachukwu; Budget and Economic Planning,
Dr. Reginald Ihebuzor; Agriculture, Emma Nworgu; Chairmen of both LGAs,
Hon. Solomon Onwuegbulam and his counterpart, Hon. Charles Abara; community leaders,
women and youths of both communities.
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