Second Niger Bridge: Family issues final ultimatum to Mgbuka Obosi traders
The family of Igwebuike Omenyi 1 of Mmakwum in Obosi, Idemili North of Anambra State has decried the confiscation of over 3 acres of Omenyi’s farmland belonging to the family by the contractors of Second Niger Bridge without any form of compensation.
The head of Igwebuike Omenyi family, Chief Maduka Igwebuike who came back from England a few years ago pleaded with the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue.
“The family of Chief Augustine Igwebuike Omenyi cannot continue to die in silence. How can we lose our family inheritance in a twinkle of an eye, acres of farmland worth over 300million naira just because the land in question was yet to be developed? How do they expect us to cope given the economic realities and hardship experienced in this Covid 19 pandemic era? We plead with all the authorities concerned to hear our cry and compensate us”, he lamented.
In a related development, the families of Augustine Igwebuike (Omenyi Obosi), Mmakwum and Nwabuike Anachuna (Ajie Obosi) from Umueagu family Umuota in Obosi said to be the land-owners of Old Motorcar parts Dealers Association (OMPDA), Ugwuagba Obosi have given a 14-day ultimatum to the traders to come forward for re-negotiation, since the lease has expired.
They told the OMPDA popularly called Mgbuka Obosi traders who were said to be occupying the land on lease that they would allocate the land to other investors should they fail to co-operate.
Briefing newsmen on the preparedness of both families to recover the land, Chief Maduka Igwebuike who spoke through his counsel, Emeka Anagbo Esq. said that the land was leased to the traders between 1977 and 1978. He alleged that the yearly royalty agreed upon by both parties for the land owners had not for once been paid.
“The tenure of private lease is 40years. We will revoke the lands and lease it to other investors if the Mgbuka Traders are not serious to re-negotiate with us. Even the yearly royalty they refused to pay would be recovered in comparison with the value of money in the 70’s given the economic inflation now”, he said.
In their own defense when contacted, the OMPDA Chairman, Ogbuefi Ezeobodo Samuel Okechukwu claimed that Land lease was not 40years adding that the families should dialogue with the market Board of Trustees if they have any grievances or need for re-negotiation.
