By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The traditional ruler, leaders and stakeholders of Ndiebor Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have commended Governor Francis Nwifuru, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and Senator Peter Nwebonyi for their intervention over concerns surrounding the alleged destruction of farmlands and economic crops during borrow-pit excavation for the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway project.
The community particularly praised Umahi for his prompt response and directive against encroachment on or excavation of farmlands without the consent of affected landowners and appropriate consultation with host communities.
The commendation was contained in a statement jointly signed by the traditional ruler of Ndiebor Ishieke Autonomous Community, Eze Hyacinth Awoke Nwiboko; the Development Union President, Mr Chukwuma Ebi; a community stakeholder, High Chief Boniface Okpete; and the Secretary-General, Dr Patrick Nwajioha.
The stakeholders described the minister’s intervention as reassuring, expressing hope that the directive would be enforced to prevent further damage to agricultural land and protect the livelihoods of residents whose economic survival depends largely on farming.
They urged the project authorities and contractor to sustain engagement with traditional institutions, community leaders and individual landowners before undertaking further excavation, stressing that infrastructure development must respect the rights of host communities and safeguard their economic interests.
While reaffirming their support for the superhighway project, the stakeholders acknowledged its potential to improve transportation, facilitate trade and stimulate economic growth.
They, however, cautioned that the anticipated benefits must not come at the expense of rural livelihoods, land rights and environmental safety.
“Our community supports the superhighway project and recognises its potential to boost transportation, trade and economic development. However, we maintain that infrastructure development must respect the land rights, agricultural livelihoods and environmental safety of host communities,” the statement said.
The community expressed concern about the implications of construction activities for farming households whose food security and income depend on crops such as yam, cassava, rice, millet and beniseed.
It consequently called for appropriate compensation for verified crop losses, the reclamation of excavated borrow pits and adequate environmental safeguards to prevent accidents and facilitate the restoration of affected land.
The stakeholders also urged the relevant authorities to ensure strict compliance with the directive on landowners’ consent and community consultation, noting that transparent engagement would help prevent disputes, promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen public confidence in the project.
They commended Nwifuru for his leadership and commitment to the development of Ebonyi State, while acknowledging Nwebonyi’s representation and concern for the welfare of constituents in Ebonyi North Senatorial District, particularly his reported legislative contributions towards attracting the project.
The community appealed to the governor and the senator to sustain their engagement with the relevant authorities to ensure that outstanding concerns were addressed fairly and transparently.
Reaffirming their commitment to peaceful dialogue, the stakeholders pledged the community’s cooperation with the Federal Government, the Ebonyi State Government, the Ministry of Works and the contractor towards an amicable and sustainable resolution of the concerns.
They expressed optimism that the intervention would strengthen mutual understanding between the project authorities and affected communities, enabling construction to proceed without avoidable disputes or further damage to local livelihoods.
“Our position is clear: we support the superhighway project, but development must not come at the expense of our land rights, livelihoods and environmental safety,” the statement added.
