…”The youths are primitive and rogue” –Mpamugo
Trouble is brewing in Oru-Oboro autonomous Community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State as the community and Ikwuano LGA Chairman, Chief Stephen Mpamugo are locked at dangers drawn over community market. The market under controversy which is known as Ahia Ndoro is famous as it attracts traders from Akwa Ibom State and is a major food exchange point in Abia State. But it is presently undergoing reconstruction and remodeling courtesy of the Ikwuano LGA, led by Chief Stephen Mpamugo, the Chairman. The Chairman in explaining the idea behind the new market project said it would expand economic potentials of the locals and also bring uncommon transformation to the entire Ikwuano LGA. He also promises that investors and other stakeholders in the market would reap bountifully from when the reconstruction and remodeling project are completed.
But these explanations from the LGA boss are far from truth, according to the host community of Ndi Oru market, the people of Oru-Oboro autonomous community.They see the ongoing remodeling project as alleged efforts to take over there is lands by the Ikwuano LGA Chairman which they claim he wants to put it out of reach for the original land and shop owners of Ndi Oru market.
This position was made known by the President-General of Oru-Oboro autonomous community, Chief Ikechi Onyekachi Osondu who has called on the LGA boss to first allow the villagers to see and sign all documents relating to the new market.
The P-G said the documents sighting and signing would ensure that the villagers, original land and shop owners would not be short changed after the reconstruction of the market. “This is a community and things have to be done right and the best way to do is to follow the books. There is a developer Engr Chukwuma Samuel of Mamre Eng Nig limited and the LGA wants to develop the market and there should be understanding.” The P-G added, “The Chairman has not prepared the memorandum of understanding and that is what people are agitating to sight. They want this thing signed so that we don’t drift in the near future.” Chief Osondu further said, “People that own shops and some plots of land in the market ate concerned. Irrespective of the fact that I have talked to them, they want to see it in paper. We need this thing written in paper. So, this is our condition.”
He revealed that many people who have paid about N100,000 each to be allocated shops in the new market when completed, are allegedly afraid of being defrauded in the deal.
“The people that own the shops and have been paying revenue to the local government before the demolition have to know the conditions to recover their shops.” But stating his own position, the LGA Chairman Stephen Mpamugo insists that there were no plans to defraud and shortchange original shop and land owners of their assets. He accused some uninformed and primitive youths of Ndoro of attacking site workers on duty, in the market, warning that security agencies had been mandated to deal decisively with any law break caught in disturbing the progress of works.
According to him, “Our attention was drawn to a vexatious event which involved some low-life fellows who went stop the ongoing reconstruction at the market with no reason whatsoever apart from primitive delusions to the extent of attacking workers and wounding some.” “This is the third time these outlaws have made attempts to stop the ongoing reconstruction and this is embarrassment should be repugnant to them as it is to me.” The LGA Chairman warned, “Those who know this set of hooligans, rogues and rascals from Ndoro who call themselves youths should inform them. Every offender or lawbreaker caught will be dealt with decisively within the confines of law.”
