ENUGU – Enugu State House of Assembly has condemned the indiscriminate allocation of land within Independence Layout and the concession of Water Corporation to a private firm.
The made the condemnation in the resolution adopted at its plenary in Enugu on Tuesday.
It condemned the allocation of the land beside the assembly to Park ‘n’ Shop, stressing that no shopping centre was located within the three arms zone anywhere in Nigeria.
“This house resolves to condemn the allocation of parts of Enugu International Conference Centre and the old Eastern Nigeria industrial Layout, Zik Ave. Uwani, Enugu, to private residents.
“That this house advice the allotees of such land to suspend development of the plots as it is against the public interest of Enugu State people.
“That this house maintain its stand on the concession of Enugu State Water Corporation to AG-Gold Trust Ltd., as unacceptable action that generated mass rejection from Enugu people.
“Directs AG-Gold Trust Ltd., to desist forthwith from entering into any takeover by way of concession of Enugu State Water Corporation or Ministry of Water Resources,’’ it said.
Mr Iloabuchi Aniagu (PDP-Nkanu West), in a motion noted that the action of the executive negated the principle of fair play, equity and the overall interest of the public.
Contributing, Mr Mathew Ugwueze, said that the governor was not properly advised on the allocation and the concession of Water Corporation.
The house leader, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye (PDP-Awgu North), said that the allocation to Park ‘n’ Shop, had destroyed the tunnel between the complex and the residence of the speaker.
Mr Okey Nwoke (PDP-Igbo-Etiti West) called for the revocation of such property and the return to status quo.
He noted that the balkanisation of lands in Enugu amounted to wickedness and perpetration of insecurity.
The Committee Chairman on Water Resources, Mr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said he received petition that the water corporation plant yard at Emene was being handed over to the private firm.
“Ajalli and Oji Water Treatment Plants and facilities relating to water supply in Enugu will be handed over to the firm at no cost.
“Should the deal sale through, there will be a 600 per cent increase in the cost of water as a litre of water that costs seven kobo now would be 42 kobo.
“This is unfair before God and man. Water is life,’’ Ezeugwu said.
All the lawmakers present spoke against the concession and land allocation.
They suggested that the Commissioners for Lands and Water Resources should be summoned to the assembly on Wednesday, April 15 to explain why the concession and the land allocation.
The Speaker, Mr Eugene Odo, said that the motion was not to erode the powers of the governor but to take a position on the matters for posterity.
“The position of the house is not to stop any action but to be on record that the house has spoken. It reflects 99.9 per cent of the mood of Enugu state people.
“From the evidence of the commissioner, one could easily deduce that there was no due process.
In Enugu State Privatisation law, Water Corporation is not listed. A single company was invited to bid alone. The whole thing is suspicious.
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“Under Privatisation law, price tag is embedded but AG-Gold Trust is not paying a kobo, all handover is free of charge. It will only pay N100 million monthly, if it generates it.
“It is unfortunate and does not reflect good fate,’’ Odo said. (NAN)
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