The people of Umuoma Nekede Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have called for immediate sack of the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Noble Abiaso Atulegwu.
The community made the demand shortly after an emergency stakeholders meeting held at the weekend in Owerri, the state capital.
Spokesman and Palace Secretary of the Community, Elder Godwin Obiyo told journalists that Atulegwu has caused confusion in their community by invading the Okwuaba farmland, Opupa Eziuzo farmland and Atuoru farmland of Umuezereokam village which had been acquired for the development of the 3R Housing Estate through the State Ministry of Housing.
Elder Obiyo narrated that the Housing Ministry had already fulfilled agreement and reached a Memorandum of Understanding with their community including fulfilling the necessary requirements of the Lands Ministry before Atulegwu assumed duties as commissioner.
He queried who Atulegwu is working for hence Housing Ministry is also of the same “shared property” government led by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Obiyo said; “We are comfortable with the earlier conditions and agreements we have with the Housing Ministry. And the MoU will benefit our people a lot. Nobody should drag us back.
“Atulegwu is only trying to perfect his sharp practices only because he hails from Owerri West. He has started selling each form at five hundred naira only to interested buyers claiming that he has parcelleted the land.
“We have held the ground breaking ceremony of the project which Noble Atulegwu didn’t attend whereas he was invited.
“The Housing Ministry had earlier met the three major hosting towns where traditional rites were performed and Power of Attorney to kick off the project was signed.
“Noble Atulegwu has continued bring thugs to the community claiming to have mandate of government to clear the land”.
