Owaza Residents Decry Abandoned Industrial Park Project, Say Fulani Herders Are Using It As Hideout
Residents of Owaza community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, have called on Governor Alex Otti to return their lands allegedly acquired for the proposed industrial park, lamenting that nearly four years after the announcement of the project, there has been no visible sign of construction.
The residents claimed that over 1000 hectares of land were taken for the project, expressing disappointment that the vast expanse of land had remained unused while the community continued to grapple with poor road infrastructure, lack of electricity and inadequate water supply.
They argued that the government should prioritize the provision of basic amenities before embarking on an industrial park project in a community that lacks essential infrastructure.
“We don’t need an industrial park here. We need road, electricity and a good source of water. We don’t have the basic necessities of life, yet our lands have been taken for a project that has not commenced”, one of the residents lamented.
The residents also expressed concern over the alleged occupation of the land by Fulani herdsmen, claiming that the situation had heightened insecurity and disrupted farming and commercial activities in the area.
According to them, the presence of the herders has made it increasingly difficult for residents to move freely, particularly in the evenings, while many farmers can no longer access their farmlands without fear.
One of the residents, Chidiebere Nweze, commended the visit to the community, saying it had provided an opportunity to draw public attention to their plight.
Nweze alleged that since the state government announced plans to establish the industrial park, no meaningful development had taken place on the land.
He claimed that the area had been taken over by cattle herders, warning that leaving such a vast expanse of land unused had created security concerns for residents.
“Once it is 4 p.m, people become afraid to pass through this area to their homes and farms. The governor should come and see what is happening here. Nothing is going on, and we don’t need an industrial park here. Let us have electricity and good roads first”, he said.
Nweze further lamented that the situation had isolated the community from other areas, adding that commercial activities had declined as people and businesses moved to more accessible and vibrant locations.
“We don’t even know if we are still part of Abia State. This situation has cut us off from other communities”, he said.
Another resident, David Godwin, said the community initially welcomed the announcement of the industrial park because of the development and employment opportunities they expected it to bring.
According to him, some landowners voluntarily released their lands, while others sold theirs in anticipation of improved infrastructure, increased economic activities and better living conditions.
However, he expressed disappointment that despite the acquisition of such a vast expanse of land, the community had yet to witness any significant development associated with the project.
“When the announcement was made that an industrial park would be constructed here, we were all happy. We believed it would bring development and opportunities to our people. Some people gave their lands freely, while others sold theirs because they believed better things were coming”, Godwin said.
“But today, the reverse is the case. How can the government take such a massive land and up till now, nothing has been done? They should give us back our land. We don’t need an industrial park, we need roads and electricity”, he added.
Godwin also alleged that the presence of herders on the land had contributed to the disruption of farming activities, leaving residents worried about their safety and economic future.
He called on the state government to address the community’s concerns, insisting that the promises made to the people had yet to translate into tangible benefits.
The residents urged Governor Otti to either commence the industrial park project and provide the necessary infrastructure or return the land to its original owners so they could resume farming and other economic activities.
Recall, that the stone laying ceremony of the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP), was done on the 30th of September, 2023 and over three years after, no sign of the commencement of the project.
The Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), is a project initiated by Governor Alex Otti’s administration in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State.
The park is designed to attract investors and establish industries such as modular refineries, petrochemical plants, fertilizer factories and steel production facilities. The government expects it to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and transform the area into an industrial hub.
The government acquired land for the project and announced a compensation process for affected landowners. Reports have cited different figures for the land area, including more than 1,000 hectares and approximately 1,995 hectares.
