#Says, land Acquisition Is For Expansion Of DUFUHS
OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The People of Uburu Community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have absolved the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi of land grabbing accusation in the expansion process of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Science, (DUFUHS) Uburu.
The Community dismissed a petition written by Njoku Chita family who accused the Minister of land grabbing insisting that both the traditional institution and the entire community supported the acquisition of more lands for the expansion of the University.
In a communiqué titled Uburu Leaders Rally Behind Umahi, Denounce “False” Land Grabbing Petition was signed by HRH Lazarus Umahi, Chief Shedrack Onu and Chief Odi Nicholas Enyi.
Other groups that dismissed the petition against the Minister includes, the Uburu Ezes-in-Council, the United Umuchima Movement, and the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) Uburu Land Expansion Committee.
The Community described the petition by the “Njoku Chita family” as “false, malicious, baseless, and defamatory.
They maintained that the expansion of the university was a collective agreement of the host community which was endorsed by the entire Uburu traditional rulers council.
They described the use of the community name in the petition as totally unacceptable and warned against further use of Uburu name for such action adding that the petitioners never mean well for the progress of the area.
“The expansion of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), is a collective initiative of Ndi Uburu, conceived and endorsed by the Uburu Traditional Council, Chaired by HRH Eze (Dr.) Lazarus Umahi Nweze.
“We wish to unequivocally declared that Sen. David Umahi is hereby fully exonerated of all allegations regarding the land processes.
“The DUFUHS land expansion committee, tasked with overseeing the land acquisition, provided a detailed rejoinder to set the record straight.
“The committee, led by Coordinator Dr. Umezurike Daniel and Secretary Mr. Odi Nicholas Enyi, explained that the university’s governing council had formally requested additional land for expansion, as the institution currently occupies less than 20 hectares of land.
“The committee outlined its transparent and inclusive terms of reference, which includes conducting community-wide awareness, identifying and engaging affected landowners, obtaining consent and signatures from all affected families, facilitating compensation for every verified landowner.
“All these steps were duly followed, The Committee’s work covered 29 identified landowners, all of whom received compensation and gave written consent. At no point did Sen. David Umahi or any government official engage in land grabbing, intimidation, or threat to life.”
“We vehemently condemn the actions of a few individuals who seek to exploit the name of Umuchima village to foment division and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Sen. David Umahi.”
“All community groups affirmed their total support for the DUFUHS expansion. It is a vital community project that has brought pride, jobs, and sustainable progress to the community.
“We the people of Uburu Community is calling on the Presidency, the National Security Adviser, and the Inspector General of Police to disregard the “mischievous” petition and recognize the “genuine spirit of cooperation and progress demonstrated by the people of Uburu.” Ends.
