Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning Barr Enyinna Onuegbu KSC, has assured communities whose lands were acquired by the state government for developmental purposes that the Shared Prosperity Government of Governor Hope Uzodinma will carry them along in any decision that will affect them. The Commissioner who gave this assurance when he visited Umuocha village in Avu Autonomous Community said governor Uzodinma regards the natural landowners as major stakeholders saying it is this respect for the people that the governor sent him to dialogue with the community on the way forward.
Onuegbu described as untrue the assertion that the State government is out to pauperize the people by acquiring their lands saying most of the state government acquired lands were done more than 26 years ago.
He said: “I am here on behalf of His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, to interact with you on the way forward as regards the land the state government acquired many years ago. What you must bear in mind is that it is not this government that started the process, we are only here to start implementing what has been agreed between the community and previous administrations in the state as the government is a continuum. His Excellency, governor Uzodinma loves the Imo people and that is why he has gone the extra mile to attract viable establishments like COREN and others to the state. With these Federal establishments, your children will be employed and many people will benefit. “Governor Uzodinma regards you as major stakeholders and that is why he made sure that you are carried along on any decisions that will affect the people.”
The Commissioner informed the people of Umuocha that governor Uzodinma has embarked on life-changing projects especially the flag off of the Owerri/Orlu and Owerri/Okigwe roads which according to him, subsequent administrations had only paid lip service. Others are the world-class balloon technology manhole drainage system and dual carriageway from Mcc-Dick Tiger- Chukwuma Nwoha- Egbu road- Otamiri river, the flag-off work on the Owerri Urban Renewal that will involve the reconstruction of major roundabouts believed to have been responsible for the intractable traffic situations in the capital city. These roundabouts include Warehouse, Akwakuma, MCC junction Fire Service Emmanuel College, Control Post, and Naze/Aba roundabouts respectively. The Commissioner urged the people to continue to support the administration of governor Uzodinma as he has come to better the lot of Imo people assuring them that by the time the governor is done with his vision, he will surpass the legacies of late Dee Sam Mbakwe.
Some community and youth leaders who spoke complained of lack of space to build their own houses as according to them, they have sacrificed most of their lands to the state government and to their community church. Thereafter the Commissioner advised them to nominate five (5) indigenes of the village who will from time to time work with the State government’s representatives to make sure that the interests of the people is taken care of. The Commissioner and his entourage later went round the village to see things for themselves as was requested by the people.
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