— Sets up committee to address land disputes, liaise with investors
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NNEWI — The over five-year land and leadership crisis in Ifite Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been resolved, with the community directing developers, investors and landowners to resume work on their properties.
The resolution followed a peace meeting involving the community leadership, land developers and other stakeholders, at which the aggrieved parties agreed to set aside their differences to facilitate the community’s development.
The community also established the Ifite Nteje Land Revalidation Committee to liaise with developers and investors, monitor land-related activities and help address grievances arising from land transactions.
Before the resolution, disagreements involving the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, the Umuduuru (elders), youths and other community stakeholders, on one side, and the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association, on the other, had stalled land development activities in the area.
Speaking with journalists after the peace meeting, the Chairman of Ifite Nteje Development Union, Mr Nnamdi Obi, said the parties had agreed to drop their grievances in the interest of peace and progress.
He disclosed that the resolution was reached at a joint meeting involving the community leadership, the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association and other investors operating in Ifite Nteje.
Obi said the establishment of the Land Revalidation Committee was necessary to facilitate engagement with developers and investors and develop a framework for addressing the concerns of aggrieved community members, including issues relating to compensation.
He said: “Now we have successfully resolved all the crisis in Ifite Nteje community, we are directing developers, investors and landowners in Ifite Nteje to start work on their lands. Peace has returned, and the community must move forward.”
The meeting was attended by members of the executive of Ifite Nteje Development Union, the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, the Umuduuru, youths, developers under the aegis of the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association and other stakeholders.
During the inauguration of the Land Revalidation Committee, the community leadership charged its members to remain committed to the progress and overall development of Ifite Nteje.
The committee was also tasked with engaging land developers, monitoring development activities and ensuring that land-related transactions and projects aligned with the community’s development goals and interests.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, Ikechukwu Erikefe, the Treasurer of the Ifite Nteje Development Union and some members of the Umuduuru urged the committee members to avoid actions capable of triggering fresh disputes or undermining peace in the community.
A developer, who identified himself simply as Chinedu, welcomed the resolution, saying it demonstrated the community’s commitment to strengthening its land management structure.
He said Ifite Nteje was now positioned to promote responsible development and preserve the peace and unity required for sustainable growth.
Chinedu urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, transparency and fairness, while prioritising the collective interests of the people.
The community had witnessed protests by youths and elders over disagreements concerning the handling of land matters by successive leaderships, resulting in the suspension of development activities in the area.
The latest reconciliation is expected to pave the way for the resumption of projects and renewed engagement between the community and land developers.
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