Officials of Ministry of forest division with ADU Exco at Oji River forests
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Executives of Ahani Achi Development Union (ADU) in Oji River local government area, Enugu state, has made a passionate appeal to both the state and federal governments and the representatives of Enugu West district at the National Assembly to site developmental projects within the forest reserves stretching from Oji River Urban linking Ahani Achi community, as a measure of curtailing heightening insecurity in the area.
The Oji River Urban to Mile 3 forests originated from a mutual understanding between Ahani Achi (host community) and the defunct Nigerian Coal Corporation in which an approximate of seven miles of land was leased out to Nigerian Coal Corporation for planting of Gmelina trees which aided mining of coal deposits at coal camp, Enugu and its environs.
It could be recalled that Oji River as a town equally discovered by the British Colonial administration after the discovery of Coal deposits in Enugu, had a symbiotic relationship with Enugu which was the capital of the defunct Eastern region.
The symbiotic relationship or interdependency between Oji River as a town and Enugu as capital of the Eastern region stemmed from the fact that the Coal deposits mined in Enugu were used to fire the Oji River Thermal power station, which generated power to the entire defunct Eastern region.
The British colonial administration went further to negotiate and acquire miles of land from Ahani Achi, the host community of Oji River town for massive plantation of gmelina trees whose logs were eventually cut and lifted to support coal mining in Enugu.
Checks revealed that the Oji River forest were thoroughly guarded and tamed by officials of the Ministry of forestry division up to early 1970’s when coal mining at Enugu and the Oji River Thermal power station functioned promptly.
The leadership of Ahani Achi Development Union(ADU) made the clarion call for developmental projects to be sited in the Oji River Urban forests when they received a delegation from the Enugu state forestry division,who were on tour of the various forests reserves in Enugu state.
The team led by a director in the ministry of forestry division.,Mr Basil Okafor Osinachi,told ADU executites that on the directives of the state government ably led by Governor Mbah.they are touring the various reserves in Enugu state and thereafter is expected to make recommendations to the state government based on their findings.
The President General of Ahani Achi Development Union (ADU). Hon. Kingsley Ezeh, explained the clarion call for investments in the Oji River forests reserves stretching from Oji Urban town Ahani Achi community, will in addition to curbing the rate of insecurity and kidnapping in the area will also facilitate development of Oji Urban exploring the abundant economic potentials.such as the Oji River stream and wonderful waters.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah for the efforts in rescuing the students of Enugu State College of Health Technology and the various steps to curtail the trend,but requested that additional establishments will bring a stronger relief.
The Enugu State College of Health Technology, Mile 2 Oji River, currently have parts of it’s hostels abandoned mechanical workshop, carpentry workshop and staff quarters adjoined to Oji River forestry reserves.
The ADU is seeking for genuine investments that will facilitate development of Oji River forests under mutual agreement, as a measure of curtailing crime rates and kidnapping incidents along Oji River Mile 2,Mile 3 and Ahani Achi road.
ADU further pleads with the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Osita Ngwu and Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency to site any of their constituency projects in Oji River forest reserves,to aid development of Oji Urban in addition to curbing insecurity.
