Super highway: Ebonyi community demands compensation for destroyed farms, decries looming hunger

Residents of a local community are expressing concern over the excavation of laterite from their farmland for a federal road project, fearing for their livelihoods.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, articulated his worries, saying, “We are not crying because they are taking laterite. We are crying because our future may not be secure if our sources of livelihood are destroyed.” He called for contractors to engage with landowners and negotiate before proceeding with excavations in areas not originally designated for the project.

He emphasized the need for fair compensation for crops damaged during the excavation. Additionally, he urged that all borrow pits be properly reclaimed after the work is completed to prevent hazards and allow the land to be restored for agricultural use.

Another community representative raised questions about the extraction of laterite from the community’s forest reserve for road construction in neighboring areas, suggesting that further clarification and consultation with local landowners are necessary. “We have a reserved forest belonging to our community, where suitable laterite can be sourced,” he noted. “We want the authorities to explain why our farmlands are being affected while the community’s reserve is available.”

Okpete acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Works David Umahi, and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi in advancing development projects but stressed that infrastructure improvements should not undermine the residents’ means of survival.

Dr. Patrick Nwajioha, Secretary-General of the Ndiebor Ishieke Autonomous Community, expressed satisfaction with the road project while highlighting environmental and economic concerns related to borrow-pit excavations. He reported that farmers have lost crops such as yam, cassava, and rice as a result of the efforts to obtain laterite, despite prior assurances of consultation and identification of affected farmland.

Nwajioha outlined the community’s key demands: compensation for destroyed crops, a halt to excavation in cultivated areas without consultation, and the reclamation of borrow pits post-construction. He also criticized the practice of transporting laterite from the community for use in construction projects elsewhere, deeming it unfair to local residents whose farms have been impacted.

He called on contractors to involve traditional rulers, community leaders, and individual landowners in discussions to resolve the issues and minimize further damage to agricultural land.

In response, Majed Abu Jaoude, general supervisor for construction company Infiouest, stated he would communicate the community’s concerns to management. He clarified that he did not have the authority to make definitive commitments regarding their demands but recognized the stakeholders’ worries.

Similarly, Nkama Williams Chima, liaison officer and chief security officer of Reinforced Global Resources Limited, assured the community representatives that their concerns would be relayed to company leadership and appealed for patience as the issues are addressed. He also noted that reclamation work on borrow pits would take place when weather conditions allow.

Simon Odoh, a liaison officer for the road project, stated that the meeting aimed to facilitate dialogue between the community and contractors regarding environmental issues stemming from the project.

Community representatives, including Chief Stephen Nwele, urged that resolutions from the meeting be documented, including agreements on consultations with landowners, compensation for affected crops, and reclamation of excavated areas. They called on the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractors to act quickly, warning that ongoing destruction of farmland without satisfactory arrangements could exacerbate food insecurity and economic hardship.

While the community expressed support for the highway project, they insisted that its implementation must respect local land rights, protect agricultural livelihoods, and provide safeguards against the dangers of abandoned borrow pits. At the meeting, no specific compensation package or timeline for addressing the community’s demands was announced.

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