Over one hundred plots of land in Igbariam farm settlement illegally acquired by a private developer have been reclaimed by Anambra state government.
The visit to the farm settlement is a continuation of enforcement by joint government task force on recovery of government land led by officials of the Physical Planning Board.
On getting to the area which had been fenced, some Igbariam youths were met on ground as the bulldozer pulled down the illegal structures.
Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of Anambra Physical Planning Board, Mr. Nwabufo Anene explained that the task force came back to the site based on petitions and criticisms from different quarters about fear of compromise by government, explaining that the move is aimed at returning the land back to its original owners.
He further stated that the private individual acquired the land illegally, stressing that every land is not buyable, asking intending developers to conduct research before purchasing any land.
Also speaking, the Youth President of Igbariam who came to the site with his members, Mr. Stanley Okoye from Ifite Igbariam, expressed happiness on the move by the government pointing out that there was no information whatsoever from the government on the identity of the developer who he described as illegal, reaffirming that the land belongs to Igbariam Community but was given to government as farm settlement.
The traditional ruler elect of Achalla, Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi who ran into the exercise, said that the area of land had been in government possession over the years, noting that he was shocked when they started seeing sporadic developments and added that the move by government shows that the Obiano-led administration is not in complicit in the illegal acquisition of the land by private individuals.
Speaking on the development, the Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East Council Area, Barrister Obi Nweke who hails from Igbariam, described it as a welcome development because according to him, the community is unaware of the sale of the land in question, which he said was in connivance with few individuals in the community.
While appreciating the Governor for taking up the challenge, he called on him to look into the activities going on in Igbariam, warning land speculators to desist forthwith even as he advised developers to make enquiries beyond the town Union before making any purchase.
The task force also embarked on removal of shanties defacing and used as hideout to perpetrate crime within an estate in 3-3 Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
