Workers in Enugu State have reacted to the sudden resignation of the commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Surveyor Victor Nnam, declaring that the former commissioner must face justice. 

This was contained in a statement by the organized labour in Enugu State, where they observed with dismay the activities of the former commissioner.

The statement was signed by Comrade Virginus Nwobodo and Comrade Ben Asogwa of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Enugu State Councils, respectively. 

Nnam resigned his appointment as commissioner for Lands and Urban Development during the weekend. 

Reacting to the development, the workers said the reasons the former commissioner gave for his resignation were far from the truth, noting that he was already under investigation and that he was trying to escape the long arm of the law.

They said in the statement that, “The ministry of lands under the former commissioner revoked the land belonging to members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE) Enugu State, re-parceled the land and consequently re-allocated same to another set of owners. All the local government workers affected by this action are still counting their losses.

“The commissioner also revoked plots of land belonging to a body of health workers in ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu (mostly medical doctors) and all attempts to recover the property have repeatedly been truncated by the former commissioner and his team.

“The ministry under the former commissioner has made a lot of residents, including the workers, to lose the plots of land they bought with their hard earned and lean income.

“Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Enugu State Councils, under the chairmanship of Comrade Virginus Nwobodo and Comrade Ben Asogwa, respectively, expressed disappointment on the level of decay in the ministry and plead with the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to ensure that the next person to occupy the office of the commissioner for lands in Enugu State must be humble, approachable, Godly and law abiding in the discharge of his duties. The people of Enugu State cannot afford to work with another arrogant and unfriendly commissioner in the ministry.”

Similarly, the NULGE, in a statement by its President in the State, Comrade Kenneth Emeka Ugwueze urged the security agencies to conclude on-going investigations on the activities of the former commissioner and ensure his trial. 

It said, “As a responsible and responsive union, we controlled the anger of our teeming members who were ready for showdown considering the current fragile security environment and resorted to a civil approach through a report to the security agencies in the State.

“We also wrote to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, crying out for help as His Excellency was aware of our ownership of the land.

“While the security agencies were still investigating and making their preliminary reports, the commissioner hurriedly tendered his resignation letter to avert his sack since his guilty conscience was already staring him in the face, claiming to be in hospital for over some time.

“It is ridiculous for the commissioner to write such a letter of resignation when investigation is still ongoing and those his senior officers were only redeployed to give way for proper investigation of his ministry which has been on public domain, including but not limited to several invitations by the Enugu State House of Assembly.

“We, therefore, cry out that the investigation by the security agencies be concluded so that justice will be done.”

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News writer / Nov 2, 2021