Tension as Issele-Azagba Community Protests ‘Unlawful’ Entry of Cubana Estate Developers, Demands Govt. Intervention

The Issele-Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has raised alarm over what it described as the unlawful encroachment into its farmlands by developers of the proposed Cubana Millennium Estate, accusing the State Government of sidelining the community in dealings concerning the project.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Asaba on Monday, the President General of Issele-Azagba Development Union, Elder Patrick Isichei, and the Community Spokesperson, Hon. Augustin Ijeh, expressed deep disappointment over their alleged exclusion from discussions surrounding the estate development.

They commended the efforts of the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Adjustment Committee, Sir Monday Onyeme, alongside other members of the committee, noting that although the final report of the boundary review has not been released, the community has remained calm and hopeful for a peaceful resolution of its prolong land dispute with neighbouring Okpanam Community.

The community leaders, however, expressed shock that the land currently being cleared for  the  estate does not fall within the disputed axis , but is located 1.3 Kilometers away from the area under government evaluation.

While reiterating that Issele-Azagba is not opposed to development and indeed welcomes the proposed estate, they stressed that no project should proceed at the expense of their ancestral farmlands or without proper consultation and compensation to the landowners.

They also condemned alleged claims by the developers that they have the full backing of both the State Government and the Aniocha North Local Government Council to continue work, describing the assertion as troubling.

The community further lamented the “nonchalant silence” of the Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emma Chinye Bazim, saying that despite repeated calls, messages, and delegations to his office, he has not responded, an attitude they say has heightened the community’s frustration.

However , the community leaders called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately halt further activities on the farmland, engage the community in proper consultation and ensure adequate compensation before any development proceeds.