The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, has condemned, in very strong terms, the practice of acquiring large parcels of Asaba land for Overriding Public Interest, only to plot out and sell same to individuals without recourse to the community.
The Asagba spoke hard to the issue, which he emphasized was unacceptable, when he visited the Federal Government’s low-cost housing estate at the Marian Babangida area of Asaba.
The first class traditional ruler declared that the matter would not be taken lightly and would be discretely looked into with a view to ensuring that any transgression considered inimical to the interest of the people of Asaba was halted and the land restored to the community.
He directed the Committee set up to recover illegally acquired Asaba lands to swing into action to determine what the Federal Government did with the land, how they did it and to show cause why the said land should be taken back by the community.
On the situation at the housing estate opposite the Asaba airport, where the complaints bordered mainly on insecurity and lack of infrastructure, Asagba Prof Azinge noted that though the government had tried to provide some basic needs of the people, a lot still needed to be done to come to speed with the infrastructural needs of Asaba, the state capital.
His Royal Majesty, however, urged residents of the housing estate to do certain things for themselves, especially as it concerned securing the area, whilst efforts to attract a road network, Police post, primary school, a clinic, among other facilities continued.
The Asagba said though the challenges confronting the Akwa red community, which he renamed Elibujor – Ogbodo Layout with immediate effect, appeared insurmountable, concerted efforts would be made to address them to make life more meaningful to residents of the area.
He commended residents of Kwekagbor area for providing security for themselves and challenged other settlements within Asaba to emulate them, while promising to help to attract social amenities to the area
In his welcome address, the Anya Asagba in the area, popularly known as the Hollywood of Delta State, Obi Onyeamanogeme Ajufo, thanked Asagba Prof Azinge for the visit, which he described as a significant milestone and the first of its kind in the history of the community.
Obi Onyeamanogeme appreciated the state government, organisations, and individuals who had helped to execute developmental projects that had significantly improved the living conditions of the residents
He, however, drew the attention of the highly revered traditional ruler to the challenges of insecurity, environmental issues, the menace of scavengers in the neighborhoods, inadequate healthcare facilities, insufficient government schools, polling units, and poor public power supply, particularly in the Akwa red, Matrix and Kwekagbor axis.
The Red Cap Chief solicited the assistance of the Asagba in addressing some of the challenges, pointing out that tte visit was a testament to his commitment to the well-being of the community and the entire people of Asaba.
