Youths of Naze community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday went on protest over the non implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) reached between the Imo State government and the people of Umuakali/Umuezuo villages of Naze in Owerri North LGA and Umudibia Nekede in Owerri West LGA of Imo State.
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Over fifty hectares of land were acquired for the development of Imo Modern Market and Technology Village. The youths carried placards with various inscriptions and protested against the marginalization meted on Naze people and consistent acquisition of land by the government without adequate compensation to Naze Community.
Leader of Umuakali Naze Youth Association, Comrade Sam N.D Anyanwu noted that his people are facing eviction from their fatherland due of the acquisition of more than 70% of their land by previous and successive governments in the State without commensurate compensation.
Anyanwu noted that the terms and conditions upon which the modern market parcel of land was ceded to the government has not been met pointing out that Naze people have resorted to peace rather than violence to express their agitations through demonstrations.
He said the people of Naze Community are entitled to not less than 250 shops, 80 % labour force and 50% of the professional workforce at the site in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding reached by the parties involved and supervised by the then Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Ichie Best Mbanaso.
in his remarks, the Chairman of Umuofor Umuezuo village Mr PeterDamian Akagha stressed that despite the numerous acquisitions made in Naze Community by past and present administrations, the community is not represented in the scheme of things in the decision making process of lmo State adding that it is sad that the interest of Naze which should be protected in the present administration for obvious reasons is not being protected.