Emmanuel Ugwu
9 November 2009
Umuahia — The commencement of work on the planned federal housing project in Abia state has suffered a set back following a row that erupted between the federal ministry of works and the Abia state government over the ownership of the land acquired for the project.
A total of 181.8 hectares of land was acquired by the federal ministry of works and housing under its Site and Services Scheme for the purpose of constructing housing units for workers and for private individuals in Amakama I, Amakama II and Evangel, all within the capital city.
Speaking with newsmen weekend, the federal Controller of Works, Housing and Urban Development, in Abia State, Mr. Augustine Obi said his ministry was "embarrassed" when the state Commissioner for Special duties, Chief Emeka Okafor, invaded the estate with over 20 armed men on November 4, chased workers out and seized their working tools, adding that he was ordered to come to Government House and explain the Federal Government's ownership of the land.
"We feel highly embarrassed at what has happened because the land was given to us by the state government (and) there was no contentious issue on the land, as it was acquired in accordance with provisions of the Land Use Act."
According to him, compensation issue had delayed development of the estate since 1977 when the land was acquired but now the federal government has already paid over N35 million as compensation to land owners covering Amakama I, Amakama II and part of Evangel estates only for the state government to halt development of the estates.
Obi, who expressed doubt if the commissioner actually acted on government directive as the state ministry of lands, survey and urban planning was not involved in the row over the land.
However, the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Prince Emeka Nwachukwu, confirmed to newsmen that the stoppage of works at the estate was at the instance of the state government following some unresolved issues that cropped up on the ownership of the land."Government has decided that because of the brewing misunderstanding between the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), the federal ministry of works and the land owners, all parties should stay off the land," he said.
The commissioner explained that the PIU, which is under the State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has come up with claims that the Federal Ministry of Works had encroached on the land it acquired from the Amakama community hence government has decided to investigate the claims.
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