Enugu Communities Declare War On State Govt, Mexican Firm, Over Refusal To Implement Agreement

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Saturday, May 2nd, 2015

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – Dozens of aggrieved farmers in Enyimba and Agbudu communities both in Awgu council area of Enugu state Thursday went on rampage, as they barricaded the premises of the state owned farms popularly referred to as “Sancarlos Farms” located in the area’ over alleged government inability to fulfil the terms of agreement reached with the communities for siting the project in the locality.

‪ African Examiner gathered that Sancarlos farm project is being executed in the communities by Enugu State government in partnership with a Mexican company.

Spokes person of the farmers Comrade Uchechukwu Akachukwu, told news men that part of the terms of agreement reached between the communities and the state government in 2012, when the Pineapple farm was sighted was that the communities will be allowed to have their own farms along side the sancarlos farm, so as to enhance cross pollination of their own farms.

But to the contrary, the Mexican company in charge of the farms have bluntly refused to comply to the terms.

According to him, as a result of the government refusal to abide by the agreement, the rural farmers he said, have no option than to start agitation for the right thing to be done.

“Or, they reclaim their land so that they can start cultivating their usual traditional methods.

“Again, the company has also not paid for the destruction of our original economic trees and crops planted on the sancarlos farms owned by the rural dwellers.

‪He stated that, All entreaties made to the company and the governments have been in vain.

“Children of these farmers have not been going to school. Already over 1200 hectares of land have been cultivated’.

Reacting to the matter, the Divisional Police Officer DPO, in charge of Mbanabo North Development council in Awgu local government Mr. Amadi, who visited the controversial farm site, had advised the communities not to take the law into their hand, rather should channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities.