NEWS LEVERAGE

PRESS RELEASE

Abia State Deputy Governor Engr Ikechukwu Emetu who is also the Chairman of the boundary committee has assured the people of Lodu Ndume, Olokoro clan and Amaba Ikwuano of transparency and accuracy in dealing with their land boundary issue, stating that the government of Dr Alex Chioma Otti does not discriminate nor side anyone.

The Deputy made his assurance during a meeting with the three communities in his Office Government House Umuahia.

He advised them to live in peace and harmony by dropping all their affiliations and face whatever thing they see. In his words, “as a people we need to solve our internal problem first because we’re Abians and we have so many land boundary issues with other States.”

Still speaking, Engr Emetu stated that for communities that did not provide proper documentation of the land in dispute for easy settlement, the state government will take over the landed properties to avoid more bloodshed and destruction of properties.
“We have plans to have six cocoa estates, so we are looking at those Gray areas to take over. Emetu stated.”

Furthermore, the committee chairman urged all the traditional rulers to warn their subject to stay away from those disputed areas and assured them of the boundary committee’s effort to bring a solution to those problematic areas soonest.

Earlier in his presentation, the traditional ruler of Itu Olokoro clan HRH Eze Linus Nkume Onua stated that Olokoro is a clan with 17 autonomous Communities.

In his words, ” we do not have problems with the presentation of Ikwuano, where there is problem is between Amaba in Ikwuano, Itu and Umuoparaozara in Olokoro but unfortunately, Lodu Ndume is trying to take over.
Still speaking, Eze Nkume said that the legend had it in the olden days that Lodu people and Umuama hard very serious problem which caused war between them but Lodu invited Itu to help them defeat the opponent which they did and part of the Land Ukata-akuko was given to them.

Contributing, HRM Eze Aguiyi Ibe Donatus stated that one of the document he presented, is the dispute between Lodu and Ikwuano which was settled in House of assembly and judgment was given by the clerk of the house Sir John Pedro Irokansi which says thus; that the house resolve as follows, “the parcel of land in dispute known as Nwaba-ozara belong to Lodu and that Amaba autonomous Community should keep off on the said land and stop further harassment.

In their separate speeches, The traditional ruler of Amaba HRM Eze Emmanuel Otuwa and the Secretary General of Oboro clan in Ikwuano LGA, Sir Kingsley Nkume while making their claim during reading of their documents stated that the right persons were not invited to present the case of Amaba and Umuoparaozara and that the house of assembly was improperly constituted and biased.

They further said that the cause of the matter is the generated revenue from the said land.

The Highlight of the meeting was the paper presentation of the Land documents and map attached.

The personalities present are, the Deputy Chief of Staff – Barr Chijioke Nwankwo, the SA on Security – MacDonald Ubah, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Justice – solicitor general Paul Ogubunka, Surveyor General -Abaraonye NKC, the state boundary officer – Surveyor Nwankwo Ikechukwu among others.

Blessing Uche
21/2/2025