HUNDREDS of youths from Amechi Uwani community in Enugu-South Local Government of Enugu State onTuesday staged a peaceful protest over the alleged unlawful acquisition of their ancestral land by a former governor of the state.
The protesters had as early as 7am converged on the village town hall before proceeding to the disputed land, where the ex-governor and his younger brother are building Enugu Centenary Estate.
The massive ancestral land, which is about 300 hectares according to the people, was forcefully taken from the community by the said governor without any consultation.
According to the villagers, the Estate is being developed by a company, allegedly owned by ex- governor Chime, insisting that the land should be returned to them.
However, in a position paper dated 6th, March, 2017 sent to Governor Ugwuanyi, and made available to newsmen, the community noted that the Agbana land, as it is called by the people was to be acquired by former governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo, in the 1980s as the permanent site of the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTEC,) now Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
According to the Traditional Prime Minister of the community, Chief Michael Ogoejiofor, “We protested, that the land was the only one left as we had lost all our other land including parts of Independence layout, university of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Nigeria police college, Uwani layout etc.
The position paper signed by representatives of various villages that make up Amechi Uwani,noted that past administrations, including that of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, understood their case and plight, hence he relocated ESUT to Agbani town.
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