By Ben Chuks
The Chairman of Amafor Village, Nkpor- agu Chief Engr. Emmanuel Idemili ( Emma Golden) has declared interest to dialogue the way forward towards resolving the misunderstanding that led to the sealing of Parks operating under and around Nkpor Express Flyover Bridge as requested by the Mayor of Idemili North LGA .
The Community Leader also said that the Amafor Community under his watch have been peaceful, law abiding and willing to co-operate with all parties involved to generate more revenue for both the Local Government and State Government if given the opportunity adding that they were neither operating illegally, breeding touts nor a breach to public peace as accused.
According to Idemili, Amafor Community many years ago after the construction of the Nkpor Express flyover Bridge obtained a written permission from the Federal Ministry of Works to operate the park because the park itself is located under the Flyover which is within the purview of the Federal Ministry of Works”.
“Some years later, the owner of the Business Link, Chief Raphael Asha Nnabuife who was once the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Transition Committee and also from Nkpor community but from another village known as Ububa Nkpor, approached Amafor village during his tenure as transition Committee Chairman and requested that we should allow the Local government Council to beautify the environment and they agreed and granted his request.
“We did not know that the former INLGA Chairman had another motive as they later realized that on the process of beautifying the place, he now turned it into his personal enterprise after chasing away all the petty traders who were trading along the area.
“When we discovered that we said no because we had earlier gotten permit from Federal Government Ministry who warned of the risk of operating under the Flyover. We also generate revenue from cars that park their and we have ANSSID number which we use to remit revenue to the Anambra State Government. So, we are not illegal revenue collectors or touts.
“We completed the beautification work started by the former Chairman which was left half way. We also built toilet and put water in that park.
” Since that place was sealed with ordinary rope none of Amafor people have entered there or caused any trouble. We want peace and dialogue. Also, we want our indigenes or youths to be engaged as part of those who will manage or work as staff anytime the parks is unsealed.
“We would accept only a discussion that would include us in the equitable revenue generation and sharing formula and we are willing to pay revenue to both LGA and State Government but would not accept any agreement that would exclude the village from being a shareholder in their own land,” Idemili pleaded.