ANAMBRA PAYS N32M COMPENSATION TO AWKA COMMUNITY
Anambra State Government yesterday paid N32 million compensation to the Ezinano community in Awka, for their land acquired by government . Handing over the cheque for the amount to the community through their Attorney, Gilbert Nwanna for the land, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mr. Law Ifeanyi Chinwuba, commended the Ezinano community and Awka people for their patience and understanding throughout the negotiation period.
He noted that the land, which is where Ngozika Housing Estate Phase II is situated, was acquired in 1979 during Jim Nwobodo's administration and commended Governor Peter Obi for ensuring that compensations were paid to the owners of the land. At the handing over of the cheque, the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu was represented by B.C. Morah, while the President-General of Awka Development Union, Kanayo Nwogbo was present with some other members of Ezinano Community.
Chinwuba noted that the state government was serious with the development of housing estates, stressing that work was in top gear at various housing estates in the state to ensure that the people especially civil servants, who came to work from Enugu and other far places were accommodated in the state capital.
He said: 'Let me thank the good people of Awka for what I will call a cordial relationship, the enormous understanding and patience shown by them throughout the negotiation. The land was acquired in 1979 under the regime of His Excellency, Chief Jim Nwobodo when the corporation and ministry were in Enugu and all the while, they have been with us.'
'Let me also thank His Excellency, Governor Peter Obi, he is not the first civilian governor, you all know that, but he has taken it upon himself to pay compensation for even any green of soil his government has acquired and even those that were acquired before he came.' He urged the Attorney to ensure that there was fairness in sharing the money so that every member of the community would benefit from it same as their own portion of the land when released to them.
In his remarks, Eze Uzu, Obi Nwosu, through his representative commended the state government in its efforts at ensuring that all lands acquired from the people were duly paid for.