Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Okwu Olokoro Autonomous Community, in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, has accused the management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), of attempts to forcefully acquire its communal land without due process.
The community which made the allegation in a press statement signed by its President General, Uzodinma Egere, warned on the dangers of such unilateral action.
According to the statement, the university is into discussions with the community for the purpose of acquiring the said land, but no agreement has so far been reached.
But when contacted, the Public Relations Officer, PRO of the university, Patrick Opara, said that the institution is law-abiding, and does not acquire land without due process.
Opara who said that full response from the appropriate authority of the institution would later be made available, explained that the university had cordial relationship with its donor communities, and would never engage in land grabbing.
The statement from the community read: “We, the indigenous people of Okwu Olokoro Autonomous community in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, hereby state unequivocally and categorically that we do not have any agreement with the management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), on the acquisition of our land for whatever purpose or usage.
“We are aware that the University is making clandestine and frantic efforts to forcefully take our land without due process.
“And this portends danger and deliberate act to destabilise the state of peace in our land.
“We note that they have held a number of inconclusive discussions with us and we have been waiting patiently for their further actions in negotiations with us and this has NOT happened.
“But surprisingly, we have discovered that the University is making desperate efforts to wantonly and unilaterally finalise the acquisition of both our habitat and farmlands forcefully.”
The community, appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to wade into the matter to avoid unnecessary crisis.
“We appeal to the State Government to call the University authorities to order as the survival and well being of our people depend on the land in question. Only this will nip the looming trouble in the bud.
“Okwu people will not fold our hands and watch helplessly as this negative machination takes place. The University is therefore warned to thread the path of caution.
“We are a peace loving people and will expect the University to respect this,” the statement said.
