
All is not well for the people of Nchatancha community in Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area following moves by the state government to acquire a massive expanse of land for the development of the proposed New Enugu City.
Community members who trooped out in their numbers to protest the action said that they had agreed to hand over about 250 hectares of land to the government for the proposed new city but to their surprise, the government is now laying claim to even their homes and their farmlands.
According to them, some people were shot by soldiers and policemen who were sent by the government to protect those carrying out the demolition exercise, while teargas was used to disperse other villagers.
In an interview, the President General of Nchatancha Nike community, Chief Michael Okoh, accused the government of forcefully taking 80 per cent of their land without any negotiation, adding that about 50 caterpillars were already demolishing houses and farmlands in the community.
“The problem is because the government is taking 80 per cent of the land in the community. They say they are taking it for New Enugu City. We are not saying that we are not giving them land.
“The community had agreed to give them 245 hectares of land to take and for them to collect from other communities but the refused. They want to push us out of our community and we don’t know where they want us to go. That is why my community are protesting. The government has started demolition.
“Today (17th of February), about 50 caterpillars are there demolishing our community; both people’s houses and crops. The 14 military men who are giving cover to those doing the demolition shot some people. I want people to talk to our Governor.
“Maybe our Governor does not know that such a thing is happening. Because the Commissar for works is the cause of this thing. It is possible that the Governor does not know what is happening. If he told the Governor, he will not allow this kind of thing here in Nchatancha Nike.”
A youth leader in the community, Anayo Nnamani, said that it was unfortunate that after voting massively for the current government, the reward they are getting is outright eviction from their community.
“What I want to say is that what the government is doing is not pleasing to us.
“We all voted for Peter Mbah and got a problem in return. They came into people’s ancestral lands because we do not have anybody to speak for us. The one he was given is big enough but he wants where have already developed. It is not good.
“All these houses you are seeing were built by individuals. If he does this, are we expected to perch in the air? This is how he is paying us back for voting for him. There is a portion we gave him, over 200 hectares but he wants to take even the place we live.
Another villager, Obinna Onyeachonam, said that the government has marked her house for demolition. She said that all her life she never dreamt that a day would come when she would be forced to leave her home for any reason.
“The problem is that from nowhere my house was marked x. When I inquired what was happening, I was told that the Enugu State government wanted to take the land without informing anybody. They just came and marked my house X. I am not happy about it.
Also Agnes Nwankwo, said that her own house which was has been pulled down. She said that her husband, Albert Nwankwo was sick and at the hospital when the house they had lived in since she got married to him several years ago was pulled down.
“They pulled down our house. They destroyed all our properties. Even the cash crops in my farm were not spared. They never told us anything, nor have they paid any compensation. The day they came, my husband went for a checkup at the hospital. We have lived there all our lives. Since I was married into this family, this is the only place I have known,” she cried.
On her part, Nnenna Nwekete, pleaded with the government to halt their actions as it would mean that the villagers would be rendered homeless with nowhere to go.
“This has not just affected me but my entire relatives. Their own houses have been marked for demolition. They know how much garri costs in the market. But the entered my farm and destroyed everything. What do they want us to do in Nchatancha Nike?,” she queried.
However, reacting to the allegations of forceful takeover of the community land, the Commissioner for Works, Enugu State, Gerald Otiji, said that those behind the narrative were doing so for political reasons.
He said that the government had entered into negotiations with the affected community and other communities in other local government areas whose lands would be required for the New Enugu City project.
“Government is not taking anybody’s land. The interest of the government is to harness the land in Enugu State to the advantage of its people. The owners of the land and the people of Enugu State.
“You are aware that sometime in the past, there was a gas flare around the area. Government would not like for anybody to be hurt around there. So all discussions about land will take place before any action is taken. It is important to note that some people like to ignite the feelings of the people into such protests.
“This is a peaceful government that likes discussions for any action to be taken. Those that are embarking on the protest are only doing so to smear the government unnecessarily. Consultation is not a day job.
“It is an ongoing process but we have realized that some people use opportunities like that to vent their political interest and try to create unnecessary tension around the issue at stake.
“In the case of Nchatancha, it is not only that area that the government wants to build the new Enugu and we don’t take over peoples lands without consultations. Those who are interested in political gain may use the opportunity to create disturbances.”
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