Scores of angry Owerri indigenes have shifted their homes to “Area K”, a piece of land, near the World Bank Housing Estate, which Imo State government allegedly appropriated to itself without due consultation.
Similarly, the indigenes yesterday applied the same system in respect of the former Timber Market along Wetheral Road, Owerri, which was returned to Umuoyima people by the immediate past Ikedi Ohakim’s administration.
Already, the villagers have built make-shift tents in the open air, where they eat and sleep, as well as hoisted banners and placards that expressed their grief.
Some of the placards read: “We need our land not compensation or relocation”, “Owelle, leave our inheritance alone”, “We have given so much to Imo State”, “Rochas: A Governor or land speculator”, Owelle nakwa echeki ihe ime ga Nde Owerri (Owelle recount what you are doing to Owerri people)” and “Area K is our property”.
Some of the indigenes of Owerri, including Sir Macdonald Ebere, Chief John Igwe and Obinga Emmanuel Mbanu, who spoke to newsmen, recalled that previous administrations never tampered or confiscated the people’s land indiscriminately without consultation and dialogue.
Appealing to Governor Rochas Okorocha to rescind his decision to take the land by force, the people also reasoned that doing so was a serious violation of their fundamental human rights.
Meanwhile, the state government has revoked hundreds of land allocations made to some beneficiaries by previous administrations in three layouts.
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