Anxiety in Anambra Community as 250 buildings are marked for demolition for TCN project

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By Madu Obi

There is a growing concern at Ebenesi, one of the villages in Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following an ultimatum given to the residents to vacate their homes ahead of the planned demolition of no fewer than 250 buildings to pave the way for a transmission line planned for the area by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Chairman of Ebenesi, Chief Okechukwu Oraka, complained during a peaceful protest by the people in the area that neither adequate relocation arrangement, nor compensation plan, was made to assist those who would be displaced from their ancestral lands for the project.

According to Oraka, the planned demolition is causing considerable unease among residents, adding that although the community was not opposed to the project, there is need for the Federal and Anambra State governments to consider the plight of those affected.

He urged the authorities to explore alternative options where possible to save residents from the impending losses.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Ebenesi, Chief Patrick Nwanyaku, appealed for a human face in the implementation of the project, particularly in the resettlement of those whose ancestral lands would be affected.

He suggested that, where feasible, the power line could be routed underground to reduce the impact of the project and cushion the losses to the community.

Addressing the people, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, said the Federal Government project being executed by the TCN, predated the Soludo administration.

He observed that Anambra needed adequate power infrastructure to support its developmental plans, acknowledging that development, sometimes comes with costs.

He urged the affected residents to articulate a compensation proposal that would adequately address their concerns and provide a basis for dialogue with the government.

The President-General of Nnobi, Comrade Aloy Olubialu, who received the protesters, expressed dismay over the situation, noting that Nnobi is a densely populated community.

He, however, pledged to work towards ensuring that the affected residents were not adversely impacted by the project.