Ifite Nteje sets up committee to address land disputes, engage investors

By Divine Sam

NNEWI — The over five-year land and leadership crisis in Ifite Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been resolved, with the community directing developers, investors and landowners to resume work on their properties.

The breakthrough followed a peace meeting involving community leaders, land developers, investors and other stakeholders, who agreed to put their differences aside in the interest of peace and development.

As part of efforts to sustain the reconciliation, the community established the Ifite Nteje Land Revalidation Committee to engage developers and investors, monitor land-related activities and address grievances arising from land transactions.

The crisis had involved disagreements between the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, the Umuduuru (elders), youths and other community stakeholders, on one side, and the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association, on the other. The dispute had reportedly stalled development activities across the area.

Speaking with journalists after the peace meeting, the Chairman of Ifite Nteje Development Union, Mr Nnamdi Obi, said the parties had agreed to resolve their differences to enable the community to move forward.

Obi explained that the agreement was reached during a joint meeting attended by the community leadership, representatives of the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association and other investors operating in Ifite Nteje.

He said the newly established Land Revalidation Committee would provide a platform for engaging developers and investors while addressing the concerns of aggrieved community members, including matters relating to compensation.

“Now we have successfully resolved all the crisis in Ifite Nteje community, we are directing developers, investors and landowners in Ifite Nteje to start work on their lands. Peace has returned, and the community must move forward,” Obi said.

The meeting attracted members of the executive of Ifite Nteje Development Union, the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, the Umuduuru, youths, developers under the Divine Heaven’s Gate Amalgamated Landlords Association and other stakeholders.

During the inauguration of the Land Revalidation Committee, community leaders urged members to place the collective interests of Ifite Nteje above personal considerations and remain committed to its development.

The committee was also mandated to engage land developers, monitor ongoing and proposed projects, and ensure that land transactions and development activities align with the community’s interests and development objectives.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Ifite Nteje Land Management Committee, Ikechukwu Erikefe, alongside the Treasurer of the Development Union and some members of the Umuduuru, cautioned the committee against actions that could reignite disputes or threaten the peace achieved.

They stressed the need for fairness, transparency and responsible engagement in handling land-related matters.

A developer who identified himself simply as Chinedu welcomed the resolution, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening the community’s land management system and restoring confidence among investors.

He said the reconciliation had created an opportunity for Ifite Nteje to pursue responsible development while preserving the peace and unity necessary for sustainable growth.

Chinedu urged members of the committee to carry out their duties with integrity and impartiality, ensuring that decisions reflect the collective interests of the community.

The community had previously witnessed protests by youths and elders over disagreements concerning the management of land affairs by successive leaderships. The disputes led to the suspension of development activities in the area.

With the latest reconciliation, residents and investors are hopeful that stalled projects will resume, land-related grievances will receive greater attention, and cooperation between community leaders and developers will improve.

The success of the peace agreement will, however, depend on the committee’s ability to address outstanding concerns fairly and prevent fresh disputes from undermining the community’s renewed push for development.