KINGSLEY EBERE
Indigenes of Umuchu town have blasted the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (youth wing), Anambra State chapter, Mr. Onyedika Eweh, for stating that the killing of two technical staff of the company handling TCN power project at Agu Awka and Umuchu, was responsible for the delay in the project execution in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Mr. Eweh made the statement in reaction to a motion moved by the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dominic Okafor, wherein the latter told his colleagues that the Agu Awka – Umuchu 132KV DC Transmission Line and 2 +132KV Line Bay Extension at Agu Awka, Anambra State project has been abandoned and called for a probe into the project handled by a company known as Cartlark International Limited.
In response to Eweh’s comments, the communique signed by the president and General Secretary of the Umuchu Town Union, Nze Charles Ezenwabasili and Dr Emmanuel Maduakor, stated that the killing of the victims has nothing to do with the host communities because Umuchu town welcomed the project and offered assistance to the company to execute the project in a friendly and peaceful atmosphere.
Text of the communique read:
“KILLING OF 2 TECHNICAL STAFF STALLS POWER PROJECT IN ANAMBRA”
The attention of the Leadership of Umuchu Improvement Union Representative Assembly has been drawn to a publication credited to the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (Youth Wing) which read – “killing of 2 Technical staf stalls Power Project In Anambra”.
“Whether or not Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide (Youth wing) has become the spokesorgan for TCN or Cartark International Limited (the contractor handling the – Agu Awka – Umuchu 132KV DC transmission Line) is not our focal point, but the negative signal its skew-toned publication, days ago, connotes for Umuchu Town.”
“It is not in doubt that the euphoria with which the progressive and peace-loving people of Umuchu Town welcomed the TCN – 132 KV DC Transmission line project is unprecedented. The unequivocal embrace of the TCN Project by Umuchu Community stems from the enormous developmental benefits derivable therefrom.”
“In fact, it is held that Umuchu wil be the greatest beneficiary of the project in terms of – Industrial attraction, job opportunities, market expansion and other ancillary values. Umuchu people are wont to guard their beneficial facilities such as this jealously, hence the community was sending her local vigilante outfit to secure the station and equipment against disgruntled marauders, even before the company’s and Anambra State’s security intervention.”
“The attack that led to loss of lives of Two Security guards at the project station could not have been orchestrated from the Umuchu side, the host community.”
“In fact, the Umuchu Improvement Union Representative Assembly (UIURA) had to write the contractor commiserating with the company when the incident happened, assuring him of our unalloyed accommodation of this vital project, cooperation and collaboration whenever and in whichever way we could render assistance – such as accommodation, security et cetera.”
“It should be noted that the TCN project location is not part of the area in dispute with our neighbouring community and the site has never experienced any inter-communal of clashes.”
“The claim of incessant attacks by the Ohanaeze writer is a bogus and worrisome misrepresentation, as there has not been any other attack around the facility. What happened, instead, could be one of the general security challenges ravaging the entire country. The general state of insecurity has not stalled any government project in any part of the country. The attack on the security staff was an unfortunate interface with criminals roving the Umuchu- Umunze Road as they ran into the security staff standing watch on the portion of the road near the TCN project site. We have severally sent representations to government and the Police to beam their security light on this road.”
“We call on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide (Youth Wing) to focus on addressing the general problems and challenges of the Igbo nation, rather than project Umuchu as a muster town.”
“The UIURA, therefore, calls on:
1. The project Contractor to resume and complete same for which he was handsomely mobilsed. Umuchu is hurriedly expectant.
2. The State Government to mount a security post/checkpoint in the area. This would complement the efforts of the state administration’s massive developmental agenda.
CC:
Hon. Engr. Dominic Okafor, member Representing Aguata Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.”