Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu has decried the illegal sand excavation at the Otammiri river saying if not stopped immediately, the evacuation could lead to massive land lost and unexpected consequences.
The Commissioner who made this known when he paid a visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Umuoyima in the Owerri Municipal Council, HRH Eze T.I.D. Uba, said the State government has ordered for a discontinuation of the dredging so as to carry out remedial measures to stop any adverse effect.
While appealing for the cooperation of the Monarch in directing the people operating illegal dredging to stop, Onuegbu advised the people to cut down on sectional and discriminatory tendencies going on in the state, stating that governor Hope Uzodimma had vowed to treat all Imolites equal in his four years administration.
The Commissioner equally informed the people of Umuoyima that Uzodimma views the Owerri people as important and had respect for their peaceful nature, saying as critical partners in governance, the people must learn to respect previous commitments and resolutions reached with previous administrations in the state.
He said: “His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodimma, the apostle of Shared Prosperity Government views the Owerri people as important, that is why he appointed me as Lands Commissioner. The Governor equally recognised the peaceful nature of the Owerri people. Our people must learn to cut down on sectional and discriminatory tendencies. Governor Uzodimma will put Imo State in the right direction. This is a Shared Prosperity Government.
Governor Uzodimma’s government is government of the people, for the people, and God will perfect everything. The Commissioner promised to look into the complaints of the people of Umuoyima, but however advised the people to wait for the report of the judicial panel on Lands which will restore order to many land issues.
Responding, the traditional Ruler of Umuoyima, HRH, Eze Uba commended governor Uzodimma for appointing Onuegbu as Lands Commissioner describing the Commissioner as a round peg in a round hole. He informed the Commissioner that his people have pending issues in the Ministry, stressing however that he has the confidence that Onuegbu will look into the issues dispassionately.
In a vote of thanks, Barr. C.K. Uba prayed for a cordial relationship between the Umuoyima Community and the Commissioner
NIGERIAN HORN
