The people of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode in Akpawfu, Nkanu East Council Area of Enugu State, have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to carry them along in the ongoing farm estate project in the community.

They said the land in which the farm was situated belonged to two families that make up Akpawfu Town, namely Anigbiyovo Oyiwode and Ani Oyiwode.

Remigius Ani, a community member, said on Monday that their appeal was to allow peace and justice in the community by recognising that both families owned the land.

“They should be carried along in terms of any benefit from the government to the owners of the land and avoid a situation whereby one family would be compensated for leaving the other,” he said.

He said the community thanked the Enugu State government for their actions and for finding the community worthy to establish the project.

“We are completely overwhelmed with joy because it is the first time a government in Enugu State is opening up the economic potential of Enugu.

“Looking at Ovu Lake, there are also conglomerations of lakes around the land that can serve as sources of water to farm. I thank the government for the initiative.

“We want to use this opportunity to let Governor Mbah know that where the farm estate is situated belongs to two families in Akpawfu. We believe in equity, justice, and peace in Akpawfu,” he said.

He said the land had a history dating back to colonial days, where their forefathers defended the land from the Native Court down to the African Court of Appeal.

Mr Ani added that in 1988, there was a misunderstanding over the land, and the parties went to court again. The matter went through all strata of courts up to the Supreme Court.

“So we are pleading to the governor that any way he wants us to assist his government, either by way of adviser or cooperation, we are ready.

“We have trained professionals in various fields who can assist,” he appealed.

He urged the governor to construct a few-kilometre road that would link the community with Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which, according to him, was not less than a 20-minute drive.

One of the elders in the community, Anthony Anigbo, said that the community had been in litigation over the years before the Supreme Court judgement.

He appealed to the governor to take a bold step and correct the anomalies of the past by carrying everybody along.

“We are loyal to his government, and we appreciate him for all the work he is doing in Enugu State,” he said.

Another community elder, James Ogbu, lauded the state government for the project.

He added that the land had been lying fallow, pleading to the governor to carry them along when compensation was being paid.

(NAN)