Allottees of the Site and Services Housing Estate, Avu, in Owerri have called for Federal Government’s urgent intervention to avert an alleged Imo Government’s attempt to trespass on the land.
The call is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday by the residents under the auspices of the Avu Federal Housing Estate Neighbourhood Association.
The statement was jointly signed by the Secretary and Spokesman for the association, Mrs Nnenna Njideofor and Mr Chimaeze Nwokenne.
They stated that the residents were worried over an alleged threat on their property by persons said to be acting as agents of the State Government.
They, therefore, appealed to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa, to urgently come to their rescue.
They further urged the ministry to show serious commitment to ensure adequate protection of the allottees.
The association alleged that some persons came to the estate recently, brandishing a document purporting to be revocation of the land by the Imo Government.
It expressed concern over the purported plan by the State Government to build its own housing estate at the same place allocated to them by the Federal Government.
It wondered why such a document by those acting as officials of the State Government did not form part of the defence from the outset in a Suit No: HOW/601/2017, “if truly it had a legitimate origin”.
The group also explained that the State Government had on Jan. 22, 1987 allocated the land to the Federal Government through the then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
It maintained that the Federal Government took possession of the land after paying compensation to the native owners.
It stated that the Federal Government allocated several plots of the land at the estate to successful applicants.
It emphasised that it was the allotees that later came together to form the association.
The statement explained that many allotees had for more than 30 years, fully developed their plots while others were at different stages of development.
It alleged that the then administration of Gov. Rochas Okorocha “invaded the estate and mercilessly destroyed several buildings and structures on the allegations that criminals were using the place as a hideout”.
It stated that following the development, “the allotees commenced a legal action and got two orders of the High Court of Imo, restraining the governor and government from further trespass”.
It added that the then governor “ignored the orders and proceeded to build the purported new headquarters for the State Command of the Nigeria Police and Correctional Service Housing Estate”, referred to as “Security Zone”.
The statement added that the association eventually got judgment over the entire land and continued with the development.
It explained that some persons that unlawfully got allocation, in violation of the court orders, began to use the police to intimidate, arrest, detain and even prosecute the rightful allotees, “who are Judgement Creditors”.
The group further explained that the Federal Government, through the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, wrote to the Imo Government “reiterating the desire to retain its estate”.
It noted that the present administration adopted the terms of reference issued by the previous government to the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Lands and Related Matters (June 2006 – May 2019 ).
It further disclosed that the commission recommended that the vast estate “should be restored to its original purpose and allocation.
“It is the allocation made by the Federal Government to the members of the association.
“The present Renewed Hope Administration in Imo accepted the recommendation of the commission of inquiry.
“And it endorsed the Federal Government Site and Services Housing Estate and the allocations already made by the Federal Government at the Estate,” the statement added
It noted that the association had earlier commended the present administration for complying with the court judgment by demolishing the structures allegedly erected by Okorocha.
It stated: “The hope of our members was dashed when we heard that the structures were demolished to pave the way for a new housing estate by the State Government.
“Incidentally, most of the allotees of the Federal Government are Imo indigenes, many of whom are now senior citizens.
“Will the present administration again dash the hopes of these allotees, who have suffered untold hardship and detention over the land legitimately allotted to them?”
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba, said the court injunction was interim, adding that the State Government would “never defy a court order”. (NAN)
