Community tells Abia govt: We have no more land for development projects

Indigenes from Umuawafor, Umuokereke, and Umunwogu villages in Abia State are urging the state government to halt further land acquisition for development projects. The communities voiced their opposition during a protest against reports of the government acquiring land for a proposed smart city.

Protesters highlighted that these villages have already surrendered substantial ancestral land for various government initiatives, including a trailer park and the permanent campus of Abia State Polytechnic. They implore the government to identify alternative locations with available land for the smart city project.

Concerns are also mounting over the alleged acquisition of land already purchased by private developers. This move has reportedly created uncertainty for current landowners and investors. Comrade Friday Appolos, spokesperson for the affected villages, stated that the communities have experienced significant land loss over the years due to acquisitions and transactions involving individuals claiming to represent the government.

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We recall that the Abia State Government in the past acquired land for the permanent site of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Osisioma Ngwa, and the larger part of it belongs to Umuawafor village, which has about 95 per cent of the land there. “They also acquired massive portions of land for projects like the trailer park and other projects in Isiala Aro-Ngwa. “The recent purported acquisition is frustrating. This is injustice, inhuman and unacceptable. We call on the Abia State Government to take note that those bringing them here to take our land are not our people. “These affected villages have never for one day seen any government representatives. We call on the Abia State Government to leave the Aro-Ngwa people alone. Development must not start and end in Aro-Ngwa. There are other villages with enough land to give out. Ours is finished.”

Appolos appealed to the state government to permit existing developers, including indigenes who legally acquired land parcels, to proceed with their projects. He emphasized the historical land donations for institutions like the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and the trailer park, noting that Umuawafor village alone comprises about 95 percent of the land for the polytechnic's permanent site. "This is injustice, inhuman and unacceptable," Appolos declared, urging the government to recognize that those facilitating the land grab are not representatives of the community. He stressed that development should not solely target Aro-Ngwa, as other villages possess sufficient land. The community fears displacement if their remaining land is taken and insists on respecting their rights and engaging them in any development plans affecting their ancestral territory.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obiora Edward, counsel for several investors, confirmed that his clients have initiated legal action. The investors, Cyril Nwachukwu, Nkechi Nwachukwu, and Emeka Nwachukwu, who are local indigenes, acquired land for development. The case, Suit No. HOS/168/2025, is currently pending before the court.

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