Abba United USA Reacts Over Imo State Govt Intention To Acquire Ancestral Community Land

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

Following a letter written and addressed to the traditional ruler  of Abba Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness Eze Ndubueze Maduabuchukwu (Uburu 11 of Abba), by the Imo State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, through her Honourable Commissioner, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu, KSC, and dated Friday, August 28, 2020, with reference No. IML|5055|14: And a subsequent visit  by a staff of the Ministry to a select Abba stakeholders and leaders across the four Autonomous Communities; in the state government avowed determination and intention for the acquisition of an ancestral community land in Abba known as ‘Ikpa Land for agricultural cluster.’

In the light of the above, Abba United USA, Inc,  a powerful non-partisan socio-cultural group of respected  community development driven critical stakeholders; technocrats,  business captains, the academia, medical doctors, development bankers, engineers and members of the international organised labour based in the United States of America, under its umbrella body has reacted with deepest reservation over the said State Government proposed intention to acquire the community’s land for agricultural cluster without diligent consultations.

The group, Abba United USA, Inc, which has played a pivotal role towards the socio-cultural and physical development of the Abba community in the last 10 years, was also at the front burner as a rallying point for genuine reconciliation, peace and progress in the community.

However, it is on good records that members of this powerful group in the Diaspora drawn from the four Autonomous Communities; viz: Umuopara Abba; Umudurunna Abba; Ekitiafor Abba and Ogwuaga Abba, have invested enormous resources in the entire community and as such, remain important indispensable  stakeholders in any meaningful  community driven programmes, plannings and social engagements either by the leaders, the State Government or her representatives.

Having taken into cognizance the opinions of the majority of Abba people and their resolve for none interference, the Abba United USA, Inc, appealed to all Abba stakeholders in the four Autonomous Communities to refrain from any support encouraging the proposed government takeover, while urging the Imo State Government to refrain from its planned action and allow the community to utilize the Ikpa land as it has been for generations in the past.

In a letter written by the group and signed by the following signatories; Chief Levi Onwuchuruba, President of Abba United USA, Inc, Engr. Frederick Chimezie, MNSE, General Secretary, Chief (Sir) Chris Onwuzurike, Chairman of Board of Directors, and Chief (Barr.) Derek Obialo, Legal Adviser; a copy which was made available to the press also referred to select key actors in the subject matter under discussion, the group, while thanking the Imo State Government for its interest in her community, however, expressed willingness to partner with the State Government in other people and community oriented development projects in Abba.

It should be noted that a proactive and respected outspoken community leader and philanthropist; a former President of Abba United USA, Inc, Chief (Sir.) Jeff Uju , is one of the early pioneers of the Abba economic resurgence and social development.

– Njoku MacDonald Obinna, publisher of 4thestatereporters.com writes in from Owerri, the Imo State capital.