The proposed Kwale Industrial Park, KIP, has come under threat, as the Umusam community, Utagba-Ogbe in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state, has withdrawn its participation in the multi billion naira project.
The community in a withdrawal notice, endorsed by 17 families and made available to journalists in Asaba, stated that their decision was based on frustrating and insincere experience in the hands of the state government.
They also stated that the statement, which was signed by 17 family heads and witnessed by notable community leaders, was a collective decision of stakeholders that include the Okpala-Uku, Okwas, Inotu-in-Council and the Traditional Prime Minister (Odogu Abi) of Umusam Community, Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom and other relevant stakeholders
The statement reads in part: “We, the entire families comprising Umusam Community, Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State; particularly Umu-Okpala owelle family, Umu-Esume Owelle family; Umu-Eze owelle family, Umu-Ajuwa Owelle famly , Umu-Chime Olodu family, Umu-Ewenyia Ossai family, Umu-Otula Anike family, Umu-Otutu Enebeli family, Umu-Ogwe family, Umu-Enwegwe family, Umu-Okpiti family, Umu-Ekwukwo Enyi family, Umu-Owuzor Onwuka family, Umu-Abada family, Umu-Akata family, Umu-Oji family and Umu-Onwusa family states that we are agrarian in nature.
“Consequently, the parcels of land belonging to the aforementioned families in Umusam community are not for sale; and have not been assigned, conveyed, transferred, allotted nor leased to any person, authority, institution or government in Delta state or outside Delta state for the establishment of an industrial park or for any other purpose other than the established agrarian purpose for which the aforementioned farmlands are currently deployed into by the various members of the aforementioned families in Umusam community.”
It further stated: “We the entire families in Umusam community, particularly the aforementioned families, further state that any person, authority, institution or government in Delta state or outside Delta state who deals/transacts with Chief Sunday Nwose (outgoing Community Developement Committee, CDC, Chairman); Mr. Azuka Henry Onyemike, Chief Peter .A. Okpu, Mr. Kenneth Onefeli (outgoing CDC, Secretary); their agents, servant, privies, workmen or any person by whosoever name so called in respect of the various parcels of land belonging to the aforementioned families in Umusam Community for the establishment of an industrial park or any other purpose does so at his own risk/peril.”
“The position stated above is the collective decision of the Okpala-Uku of Umsam Community; Okwas of Umusam Community; Inotu-in-Council of Umusam Community; Traditional Prime Minister/Odogu Abi of Umusam Community/Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom and other relevant stakeholders in Umusam Community, Kwal, Ndokwa Weat Local Government Area, Delta State”.
“The purpose of the collective decision of the aforementioned relevant stakeholders of Umusam Community is to preserve the rich oil bearing farmlands in Umusam Community, Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.”
Signatories to this disclaimer areOkwa Nzeke
(Head of Umu-Okpala Owelle family), Mr. Sunday Micheal Uti
(Head of Umu-Esume Owelle family), and Mr. Nzete Eze
(Head of Umu-Eze Owelle family).
Others are Mr. Joseph Okonwa
(Head of Umu-Ajuwa Owelle family), Mr. Ernest Enebeli
(Head of Umu-Chime Olodu family), Mr. Fredrick Okonye
(Head of Umu-Ewenyia Ossai family), Mr. Patrick Osuya Uwadia , Chief Sunday Enefe
Mr. John Ikurugwor (Head of Umu-Ogwe family), Mr. Micheal Enebeli (Head of Umu-Enwagwe family), Mr. Dickson Enubuzor (Head of Umu-Okpiti family), Mr. Joseph Agbaniko
(Head of Umu-Ekwukwo Enyi family), Mr. Anthony Nu Ojieh
(Head of Umu-Owuzor onwuka family), Chief Victor Opute
(Head of Umu-Abada family), Mr. Monday Asata (Head of Umu-Akata family), Okwa Osonuwe (Head of Umu-Oji family) and Chief Christopher Opute (Head of Umu-Onwusa family).”
“Witnesses to this disclaimer were Okwa (high chief) P. C Igwe, Palace High Chief (the Awalum Ike 1 of Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom. Chief Dennis Igwe
(Traditional Prime Minister/Odogu Abi of Umusam community/Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom and Community Spokesman, Chief Hon. Alex Ogwezi”
