The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in Enugu South local government area has trashed the claim by Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities in Enugu North local government area on their purported ownership claim of the areas presently being developed by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC).

The Ogui Nike Communities had in a media publication claimed ownership of the land being developed as Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate by the ESHDC.

But the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community rather insists that the parcels of land presently being developed as Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate remains their ancestral land and cited relevant legal documents to support its ownership of the land.

The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in a public notice said that its four villages had registered their portions of lands with the Enugu State ministry of lands and Survey in three different layouts, after which the state government through the Enugu State ministry of Housing approached the Community for acquisition of the layouts and which they acceded to.

The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community commended Governor Peter Mbah for the ongoing massive infrastructural development in the ernment to bring the beloved historical capital city of Igboland up to a befitting landmark worthy of the great tribe of the ancestors.

The community leaders represented by Barrister Sunday Ngene, Chibuike Ene, Ekeka Igwedinma, Amaechi Onah and eight others said: “Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community wishes to bring to the notice of discerning public, certain salient facts concerning the spurious claims of the said Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike Communities to ownership of the land currently being managed for Enugu State Government through its parastatal, the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation.

“One, Prior to the acquisition, the four villages (i.e Umunnugwu, Isiagu, Ndiaga and Umunnajingene) that make up Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community registered the Estates of the land with the Ministry of Lands as follows: Umunnugwu/Ndinga Layout, (for Umunnugwu/Ndiaga Villages); Promise Layout (Umunnajingene Village) and Valley Layout (by Isiagu Village).

“Two, the Government of Enugu State through the Ministry of Housing Enugu State approached Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community for the acquisition of the layouts for development into what has turned to be the Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate. After due consultation, the Community acceded to the Government request.

“Thirdly, by the Public Notice dated February 9 2021, titled ‘Cancellation/Revocation of Layouts within Government Acquired Area and named Coal City Eastern Alliance Estate’, the following layouts were directly affected. They are, Valley Layout Isiagu Village Ugwuaji; Umunnugwu-Ndiaga Layout Ugwuaji and Promise Land Layout Umunnaji Ngene, Ugwuaji.

“Fourthly, sequel to the cancellation/revocation by Notice of Acquisition Ref: EN: 39902/2 dated April 29, 2021 to Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community; the State Government formally acquired the layouts for overriding public interest (Low Cost Mass Housing Project).

“Fifthly, The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community has two subsisting not yet appealed Court Judgments in respect of the said land, viz: Suit No E/44/70 whose judgment was delivered in 1987 and Suit No E/96M/2017.

“From the above facts, it is clear that the real owner of the land acquired by the Enugu State Government and currently being developed into Coal City Eastern Alliance Extension Estate is indisputably owned by the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw community by virtue of recent court decisions.

“We therefore urge the Enugu State Government not to be deterred by the shenanigans of these mischief makers and enemies of progress in the government’s efforts for rapid development of the Coal City and indeed Enugu State.”