Chief KC Ugboaja


The National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA does not buy land neither does it pay compensation for land used for agricultural development, says Chief K C Ugboaja on Thursday.

Chief Ugboaja, former Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LGA who spoke to dailyledger.ng.com was reacting to allegations that N3 billion was paid as compensation for  NALDA Fish Farm at Ariam Elu-Elu village in Ariam Osoigwe Autonomous Community of Ikwuano LGA in Abia State

"A meeting of all kindreds met severally and eventually agreed to give out 100 hectares of land at Ariam Elu Elu for agricultural development. I used my links and connections at NALDA to bring this project to our community. But people living elsewhere are the ones raising issues over the project, and I ask them: What is development? Does development happen in the sky?"

He also waved aside the allegations of N3 billion paid as compensation for the land, describing as laughable and preposterous. "I would have taken legal action over those making this criminal defamation, but I will hold my peace. But I advise them to bring prove - either my bank statement or documents from NALDA showing this payment. NALDA does not pay compensation for land or buy, if a community is interested in agricultural development, it provides land and partner with NALDA to develop it for agricultural purposes.

"No land was taken by force from anybody. Our custom in Ariam-Usaka is the community can decide to give certain portions of land for development. That was how the Ariam market, the primary and secondary schools were built, including the seminary, and the hospital", he explained, adding that the project is jointly owned by NALDA and the Ariam Elu-Elu community.

He further traced the history of the land to colonial times when he said the community gave to early white settlers who came grom Calabar. According to him after the whitemen left, the land again reverted to individual ownership, until now the community came for it again.

Barrister Ugboaja further expressed regrets over the actions of the youths who disrupted the Commissioning of the project and attributed their action to ignorance. " About 200 Ariam-Usaka youths are already employed in the Fish Farm which is already functional. Several of them were part of the workforce in the clearing of the place.

"We are already planting a special specie of banana on 50 hectares of the land. As you know there is a ready market for banana in Europe and the Federal Government, FG has initiated a policy to plant banana plantations in several parts of the country. This is a project that will benefit the entire community, but am perplexed over the actions of certain people who are instigating some youths against the project. There is an agreement clearly stating the terms of the project, that it is jointly owned by the community and NALDA" he affirmed.

Dailyledger.ng.com reported yesterday that the proposed commissioning of NALDA Fish Farm at Ariam Elu-Elu village in Ariam Osoigwe Autonomous Community of Ikwuano LGA in Abia State was called off as youths mobilised the villagers to protest against the  project sited in the community.