By Nwokoma Ndubueze
The Umuapu Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State has vowed to resist every temptation coming from the state government on their native lands, because they usually farm on their land as an Agrarian community.
Addressing Ohaji/Egbema Practicing Journalists, yesterday, Chief Luke Chukwu at his country home, Umuapu, said that the people are not aware of what the state government is doing around their native lands, which they usually farm on.
Chief Chukwu who was a former member of Imo State House of Assembly, and also former Executive Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, stated that the Land Use Decree did not enable the government to forcefully take lands from communities, that are already in use for farming.
He explained that though the state government is trusted to be in custody of lands, likewise it is trusted to the local government to be in custody of lands, but it does not permit government to grab land already in use as farmlands.
The Ex-lawmaker maintained that their native lands are majorly their farmlands and their only source of livelihood.
He noted that because they are cultivating them presently , as such, they do not have space for Ruga, which they are suspecting is the reason that the state government is looking for about 5000 hecters of lands to commence operation.
He added that his community will not allow the state government to take their native lands by force, because they would use their last blood to protect their inheritance.
According to Chief Chukwu, Ohaji/Egbema LG Area has given so much to Imo State government in terms of lands which they have not developed, even as he stated that government has also not shown appreciation to the localities.
He said that the present 3R-governmnet led by Senator Hope Uzodinma is not doing well in consideration of the good people of Ohaji/Egbema by way of political appointment, especially in his list of commissioners.
The people through their ex lawmaker advised against taking more portions of their land on which their livelihoods depend.
