By Anya C. Anya
The Member representing Umuahia South in the Abia state House of Assembly Hon Barr. Jerry Uzosike has called on the people of Umuobia Olokoro to be calm and peaceful in all they are doing because there is no contention on real owners of the location of Modern Ceramics Umuahia which the Abia state government is planning to resuscitate.
Hon. Barr Jerry Uzosike said it is necessary to make this clarification in the light of the wrong announcement going on in the radio concerning the ownership of the location of Modern Ceramics Umuahia.
The Abia State Government is planning and making effort at reviving the modern Ceramics but ongoing announcement on radio is placing the location to be Afara Ibeku in Umuahia North.
This announcement has not gone down well with the people of Umuobia Olokoro in Umuahia South and is the reason why Hon Barr Jerry Uzosike said ” He has been inundated with barrage of calls and visits since yesterday concerning the Radio news going on about the State government’s effort to revitalize Modern ceramics umuobia umuahia south”.
In a social media post, Barr Jerry Uzosike, an Ex Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area Said the news of reviving Modern Ceramics is a good and welcome development Worthy of celebration, but while everyone is happy about the news, the worry is that the news describes the company as situate in Afara ibeku umuahia North.This has not gone down well with umuobia and indeed umuahia south people. As they are resulting to anxiety and unnecessary tension”.
The lawmaker therefore hinted that there is no dispute and there have never been dispute concerning ownership of the land and that is the reason why “I have made efforts to reaching the Honorable commissioner, unfortunately she has not picked calls nor replied my text message to her so that that radio news can be corrected to avert crises.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Modern Ceramics was established in the 60’s and situate within the coordinates of 5⁰29’36Ñ 7⁰28’56⁰E which clearly is umuobia umuahia south.Again umuobia has enjoyed good relationship with neighbouring Afara people and Afara has never claimed ownership of the land where Modern ceramics is situate but this news now is only raising fears that that may be changing if not corrected with immediate effect.the anomaly in Holyghost Secondary school is still fresh in the mind of umuahia south people hence the present alarm. ”
“As your Representative, Ndi umuobia in particular and Umuahia south in general,Be rest assured that no such ceeding of your land or any area of our constituency will take place while i represent you.”
For clarity purpose he draw the attention of everybody to ” When the state had understanding with A Catholic Group in 2013 and Modern ceramics was handed over to Catholics,i was the Local Government Council Chairman then and it was yours truly that presented kola nut as was customary to the then Governor.I enjoin umuobia people to sheath your swords while we address the anomaly and give our dearest Governor 100% support to revitalize Modern ceramics.”
