Ebenesi Community Protests Demolition of Homes for Power Project

Residents of Ebenesi Community in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, protested on Tuesday against plans to demolish their homes for a power line project.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is handling the project. TCN is a federal government company that manages and expands the high-voltage national grid, which carries electricity from generators to distribution companies.

During the protest, community members appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra to step in. They want help with the disagreement between their community and TCN over the project, according to Punch newspaper.

At the Obi Ezenabo Traditional Centre in Ebenesi, residents claimed that more than six elders collapsed and died after officials from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board marked their houses for demolition. They said the officials ordered affected landlords to demolish their homes within 14 days or face government action, and that owners would have to pay for any demolitions.

Okechukwu Oraka, the Chairman of Ebenesi Community, spoke during the protest. He said the community is against the demolition because no plans have been made to relocate those affected. Mr Oraka, with his deputy Patrick Nwanyiaku by his side, also claimed the power line project was rerouted to Nnobi after originally being planned for other areas.

"Nnobi came into this TCN power line project through foul means. Nnobi was not in the original plan for this project; it was diverted to Nnobi by people who think we have no one to advocate for us at the federal and state levels," he said.

"Ebenesi is densely populated, and we have no land. Now the state government wants us to leave our ancestral homes without any relocation plan. That is impossible. We will move anywhere in Nnobi if they provide a place for us."

He added, "We are not against development projects and infrastructure, but if you provide infrastructure, the people who will benefit must still be able to live. If you provide infrastructure and push people away, what is the point?"

The chairman noted that the community has lived in the area for over 200 years. He urged the government to consider other options if the project must go through Nnobi. "I have traveled and lived abroad; power lines do not go through residential areas. Our forefathers never told us not to build houses because a power line would pass here," he said.

"So it is not reasonable to force us to relocate. If the project must continue, they should run the lines underground."

The protesters included youths and elderly men and women. They sang songs and carried placards showing their opposition to the planned demolition and the project route through Nnobi.

Some representatives of the community who joined the protest were Stanley Izuegbu from Ifite Village, Bartholomew Ojukwu from Umuafor Village, and the Secretary of Umuona Village. They called for the project to be relocated or for alternative plans to avoid demolishing homes.

Comfort Ngwudo, an 81-year-old retired civil servant, spoke on behalf of older residents. She said the government should think about how the project will affect the community.

"Everything in life is due to policies, good or bad. No one gets ancestral land without it coming from their forefathers. How can anyone ask people to leave land they have lived on for over 200 years?" Mrs Ngwudo said.

The elderly woman urged the government not to create "oppressive policies" against the people. "If the government wants to build something for the people, it should be what they need, not something that leads to their suffering," she added.

The protesters later moved to other parts of the community, including the palace of the traditional ruler, Nick Obi, and the home of the President-General of Nnobi, Aloy Olubialu. Both leaders praised the protesters for their peaceful actions and promised to pass their concerns to the right authorities.

But a senior official from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Cletus Ohame, told Punch on Wednesday that the demolition notices were properly given to the affected landlords.

Mr Ohame said the area has been set aside for the power line project for many years. "The affected landlords were served with notices. This area was earmarked for the power line project years ago, and they should understand that it is about developing infrastructure," he said.