Airport project: Association urges Ebonyi Govt. to compensate, resettle displaced farmers
The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes in the Diaspora has called on the state government to compensate and resettle farmers whose ancestral lands it acquired for an airport project.
The association made the call in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr Pascal Oluchukwu in Abuja on Thursday.
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Oluchukwu also urged Ezza extraction under the auspices of Ezza-Ezekuna stakeholders to desist from joining state the government in threatening the displaced farmers.
“We condemn in strong terms the resolution issued by those we described as apologists of the state government from Ezza extraction under the auspices of Ezza-Ezekuna stakeholders.
“We condemn their action because Ezza-Ezekuna stakeholders would have asked the state government to follow the due process of acquiring individual lands for public use.
“It is trite law that, while the Land Use Act gives the governor powers to acquire any land for overriding public interest, same law provides for adequate compensation for the farmers whose farmlands and ancestral homes have been forcefully taken,’’ he said.
He, however, commended the land owners for choosing the path of constitutionalism in seeking justice instead of resorting to break law and order.
According to him, the association has admonished the Ebonyi government to note that the welfare of the people is central to the mantra of governance.
