The Imo State government has dismissed as false claims on a news platform by a former Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, that the land allocated to the Zion Ministry Incorporated by the state government at Mbaisii, Ngor-Okpala LGA of the state did not follow due process.

Reacting during a press conference in his office on Wednesday, the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Physical Planning, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, noted that claims credited to Dr. Amadi and others were intended to twist facts, mislead the public, and portray the state government in a bad light.

He disclosed that the 2,000 hectares of land in question—against the 30,000 quoted by Dr. Amadi’s group—was acquired in 2003 by the then Governor Achike Udenwa’s administration after following due process, including the establishment of an interface committee between landowners and the government, and the payment of agreed compensations.

The commissioner further said that the initial plans of the government were to use the land for the Imo Gwandom Project—an export processing zone in partnership with Chinese investors—but added that the inability of the project to materialize prompted former Governor Rochas Okorocha during his tenure to re-allocate it to Imo-Chelsea Ltd for an integrated agricultural project, which also did not take off.

Barr. Onuegbu, also an indigene of the area, added that after failed attempts by successive governments in the state to utilize the land, applications received from investors in recent times prompted Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration to consider the imperative of allocating 1,000 hectares—part of the land—to the Zion Ministry for integrated development.

According to him, the government only came in contact with the Zion Ministry concerning the land during the prayer ministry’s inquiry about the status of the property at the Ministry of Lands, following an attempt by some trespassers to sell the government-acquired land to the ministry.

The commissioner stated that failed efforts to rip off the ministry left the trespassers disappointed and infuriated, with no option but to resort to blackmailing the state government and the Zion Ministry. He said that after the discovery, the ministry made a formal application for the land to the government and was considered.

He further disclosed that Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is desirous of developing the state, was satisfied with Zion Ministry’s intended use for the land, which included the building of an auditorium, hospital, schools, industries, skills acquisition centre, market, event center, and estate, with employment opportunities for the indigenes of the area and Imo State in general.

Barr. Onuegbu, who urged the public to disregard claims by Dr. Sam Amadi and his group, berated the ex-NERC boss—who is not from the area—for resorting to media trial instead of pursuing the matter they instituted at the Imo State High Court. He hailed the presence of the Zion Ministry as bringing transformation to the area, adding that his reaction was to guide the public against falsehood, as he expressed respect for and confidence in the judicial process.

Flanked by the Surveyor-General, Surv. Odidika Bob Uzodimma, and HRH Eze Fred Nwachukwu, the commissioner urged the people of Mbaisii to be patient in order to reap the benefits of the development unfolding in the area through the Zion Ministry. He also called on other investors to come to the state, assuring them of peace, safety, and returns on their investments.

Meanwhile, youths of Mbaisii Clan—comprising Amala, Ikem, Alatia, Ntu, and Eziama autonomous communities, the original owners of the land—yesterday trooped out to show solidarity with the Zion Ministry, declaring that the presence of the ministry has brought development to the area, hence the need for encouragement.

During a demonstration in the area, the youths observed that due process was followed in the said land acquisition by the Imo State government, expressing appreciation that the place once abandoned is being transformed into an investment hub as a result of Zion Ministry. The speakers included Engr. Anaelechi Chiemena Peta, Hon. Everest Chike, and Hon. Nwejie Kingsley.