Tension is mounting in the sleepy community of Ndiukwuenu in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State following the destruction of crops, economic trees and farmlands by government officials at Mamu Forest Reserve to build a housing project.

Last week, people from the community protested at the Government House, Awka, pleading with Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in the matter.

A visit to the community showed that over 500 palm trees, designer trees, as well as a large expanse of cassava farms were destroyed.

President General of Ndiukwuenu Community, Geoffrey Ezechukwu Okoli, said some powerful people in the community were conniving with government officials and non-indigenes to deprive the people tof heir means of livelihood.

According to him, the palm trees and other economic trees which the state government spent so much to purchase are being destroyed by agents of government.

Okoli said: ?Our people are not happy with the grave injustice being done to us by agents of the government who have forcefully taken over our land and handed same over to some people within and outside the Ozzu community in Ndiukwuenu.

?This singular action has caused a crisis in our community. Before the de-reservation and release of 20% compensatory plots by the government, Ozzu Ndiukwuenu was a peaceful community, but now the peace is eroded.

?These government officials are having a field day in Mamu Forest Reserve which has become a security threat to the people of the community and the state.

?The crises that ensued as a result of the de-reservation and the release of 20% compensatory plots to the community has been a protracted one with no end in sight.

?We therefore call on Governor Soludo to wade into this matter to forestall the devastating effect of the lingering crises,? he urged.

He urged the state government to: place an order stopping the people involved from further destruction, sales, excavation and parcelling of any portion of the Forest Reserve; set up a panel of inquiry to look into what is happening in Mamu Forest Reserve; give audience to the stakeholders of Ozuu Village-Ndiukwuenu and other interested groups and arrest and prosecute those found culpable.

Speaking on the issue, the Political Adviser to the governor, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu said Governor Soludo will look into their matter.

Obiogbolu said: ?We know you want to protect your God-given asset. The governor, as you know, does not condone illegality and I want to assure you that he will look into this matter dispassionately to find a lasting solution.?.

Obiogbolu urged the people of Ndiukwuenu to ensure that bandits, kidnappers and gunmen do not use their community as a place of abode as the governor would not tolerate that. (Vanguard)

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