The member representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West local government Area at Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Barr. Uzoma Nkem Abonta, has berated the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe over the proposed cattle market at Egbelu in Ukwa-West local government Area (LGA), Abia state.
In a press statement made available at his social media page, the Federal lawmaker accused Dr. Ndukwe of exhibiting various traceable evidence of insensitivity to the people of Ukwa; subjecting them to perpetual humiliation and intimidation among others.
In his statement:
“A Rejoinder to the Press Statement of the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment
Abia State Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe.
RE: ‘RELOCATION OF ABA WATERSIDE MARKET FOR CATTLE SALE, NOT RUGA’
The controversy behind the issue as stated above by Abia State Government as represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe and it’s obvious intention to mis-represent and mis-inform the entire populace thereby subjecting the people of Ukwa in Abia State to a perpetual humiliation and intimidation had aroused my consciousness as a spur to respond accordingly and present the record straight.
The Commissioner for Trade and Investment Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe had not only exposed and showed the humiliation meted to Ukwa but had also exhibited various traceable evidence of insensitivity to a people.
The facts below explained such insensitiveness.
Firstly, the Commissioner in an interview granted by the Guardian newspaper on July 1st, 2020 at Umuahia tried refuting the fact that Abia State Government under his ministry of Trade and Investment had planned to relocate the Aba Waterside Cattle Market called ‘Ama-udele’ Ogbor hill to Egbelu Obehie, Ukwa west local government area, resting his claims on the ground that “establishment of Cattle Market and trading is not the same thing as Rural Grazing Area (RUGA)”.
I therefore put it to him that, the planned establishment of a cattle market means same as trading and grazing of cattle known as RUGA. The environmental impact of both businesses are the same.
Secondly, the trade and Investment Ministry boss of the State explained in obvious terms, (I quote him) ” the menace of Cattle, indiscriminate pollution of the Aba river and contamination of the air had become a source of concern and reason for the relocation of the market to Obehie, adding that above all, it was aimed at ensuring that motorists and pedestrians were saved from struggling with cattle at the Aba Waterside.
The above statement coming from Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe as a commissioner and executive member of the State still explains the insensitivity of government to Ukwa people. If he understood the resultant consequences of his statement, with respect to the fact that the government had decided to decongest Aba area to the detriment of Ukwa land, then we have no other option than to say that the government of the State has no better plan for the development of Ukwa people. It also shows that the 50 years of oil and gas exploration and exploitation of the area with its inherent environmental pollution and degradation from the IOCs and the lamentations of the people to the government have had no effect and consideration.
Thirdly, the ministry of Trade and Investment boss revealed the complacency on the part of the government of the State when he said, (I quote him) “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration at inception in 2015 saw the challenge cattle trading around the Aba Waterside caused members of the public and decided to relocate it to a more convenient site where trading would be less harzardous….”Can you see the highest level of humiliation, domination, de-humanization and indeed a conscious effort of the government to underdevelop a people. A case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” by transferring environmental pollution and harzards to a people who have wallowed in constant air and land pollution from the oil and gas companies paying taxes and tenancy rates to the government monthly without consideration of the landowners.
Fourtly, The Commissioner in his interview disclosed that “the Muslim Community led by Chief Musa Iheakaram and Alhaji Ibrahim Njidda had approached the government to give them an alternative place to continue their trade”. The alternative place found amongst all the local government areas and zones within the State is Ukwa. I ‘ve wondered why the government would be denying the fact that, establishing a Cattle Market in an area is not rural grazing and trading otherwise known as RUGA chaired by one Alhaji Ibrahim Njidda as mentioned.
The Government did not bring us to knowledge on their ill-intended plans of the cattle grazing and trading in an area like Obehie hence cannot ascertain its resultant effects and consequences. The destructive nature of the Cattle rearers otherwise known as “Herdsmen” cannot be underestimated considering the threats it pose to the local people and environment.
Having highlighted the above, I therefore wish to state the following;
That, the government should move the cattle market to another alternative and bigger sites like Ngwa or Bende than Obehie because Ukwa have no land, having donated enough to the government for non-implemented gigantic state-claimed owned projects.
That, seizing our land forcefully to gratify private business persons or owners such as the Cattle business belonging to Hausa/ Fulani and not even a government owned business as we were informed that “one Alhaji Ibrahim Jidda wanted a place to continue their business” by the Government in grabbing Ukwa land to Hausa/Fulani shows their disregard for the people of Ukwa.
That, It’s good to know that Ukwa has a small land mass compared to other local government areas in the State.
That, the government need to consider the fact, that Ukwa already is hosting various Oil and Gas operating companies in the State causing a huge pollution to the environment.
That, the Egbelu land in question has been used for agricultural purposes touching the lives of our people presently.
That, the Government should also know that what happened to Ogbor hill Aba in terms of land degradation and environmental pollution will rather be doubled at Ukwa if the cattle market is relocated to Obehie since Obehie has no river.
That, as the Trade and Investment boss claimed in his statement that “Obehie was acquired for CATTLE MARKET and ALLIED MATTERS ONLY AND NOT RUGA” was laughable. I was wondering if he was speaking to fools.
Cattle Market and Allied Matters simply and ordinarily mean, a Full cattle business in it’s entirety which includes:
*CATTLE GRAZING
*CATTLE BREEDING
*CATTLE SETTLEMENT
*CATTLE COLONY
Of course, Hausa/Fulani settlement who will superintend and manage the business of Cattle Market and Allied Matters.
We do not want such in our land. Ukwa need socio-economic and infrastructural development.”
SPARE OUR LIVES….!
SPARE OUR COMMUNITIES!!
SPARE OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS!!!
He further maintained.
