Stop Building New Structures on University Land, Chief Francis Igwe Charges Members of Host Community
An opinion leader in Ikwo Noyo clan and father of the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Igwe has charged members of the University host community to stop the ongoing erection of new buildings on the University land.
He made the charge on Thursday, 27th April, 2017 when he visited the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba.
Chief Francis Igwe speaking during the visit
Recounting how Ndufu-Alike and Echara communities donated their land for the siting of the University, Chief Igwe called on those whose land was taken by the virtue of the institution been sited at the community to desist from erecting new structures on the land to ensure peaceful coexistence in the area.
The opinion leader noted that some land owners were yet to vacate the University land because the Ebonyi State Government was yet to compensate them for their land, buildings and economic trees, and appealed to the University authorities to allow the villagers carry out their farming activities on any part of the land that is not presently been deployed for infrastructural development.
He further thanked the Vice Chancellor for giving employment opportunity to the President of Ndufu-Alike Development Union, Engr. Joseph Alo.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor reemphasized his commitment to the development of the University and its host community stressing “I am happy that the University is sited at Ikwo.”
“This part of Igbo land needs to be developed
“We are committed to it and have been putting our personal resources and contacts to it
“This University is contributing significantly to the financial wellbeing of the people of Ikwo”, he stated.
VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (R), in audience with Chief Francis Igwe
He further appealed to members of the host community to share in the burden of the University by vacating the University land and stop the ongoing erection of new structures to allow the University to develop speedily.
“Please tell them not to stop our work
“It is not the responsibility of the University to pay compensation to land owners but we have actually gone out of our way to compensate for crops so that peace could rain
“As the people are farming, development cannot stop. It will continue to go on
“This University is God’s Project and we are doing everything with all sincerity, the Vice Chancellor concluded.