youths of Okpuno community in of Awka South Local Government numbering over fifty, yesterday marched to the Government House, Awka, to protest the alleged locating a filling station in a primary school field, situated at Nodu Village by a Catholic Church in the area.
The project which, according to the protesters, began two months ago, was rejected by the community because of its health threats and possible disaster, given that the same compound accommodates school pupils as well.
According to the people, letters and petitions had been written to relevant authorities, including the Governor’s Office, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Department of Petroleum Resources, Department of State Service and others, to stop work at the site and caution the sponsors, but nothing has been done.
The General Chairman of Okpuno Community, who spoke to news men, Mr. Chuka Onyachu, alleged that a priest in-residence of the identified church had ignored the community’s petitions, threatening anyone that interrupts work at the site and warned the community to stay clear from the project site.
Also speaking, an Okpuno town union representative, Mr. Anayo Nkemdilim, the General Chairman of Nodu Village, Okpuno, Mr. Innocent Onwubiko as well as the youth representative, Mr. Williams Obidike, spoke separately on the bone of contention, noting that instead of a filling station, which could cause both health and environmental hazards, the church could erect a micro finance bank, cottage hospital or something else to attract revenue and develop the community
Addressing the protesters shortly before following them to the site, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Security, Mr. Oscar Christopher, commended them for toeing the line of peace and assured that their grievances would be carefully looked into by the state government.
Reacting to the protest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Offormata, disclosed that the property in question belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Awka, adding that after he had met with major stakeholders in the community about the project, they gave their nod, assuring him that they were not opposed to the development of the area.
He alleged that the protests were sponsored by an undisclosed influential person in the community and that the project was sited meters away from the school compound and has a wall barricading it from the main school premises.
