ENYIMBA HOTEL: Landlords and Tenant at Pepple Road alleges land grabbing by Abia State Govt

A cross-section of landlords and tenants residing along Pepple Road (People’s road as known by many) in Aba, Abia State, have cried out over what they described as suspected land grabbing and encroachment disguised as government-sanctioned expansion of the long-abandoned Enyimba Hotel.

This follows recent activities by unidentified persons who marked several buildings for demolition without prior notice or official documentation, leaving many residents confused and anxious about their fate.

The development comes on the heels of an agreement signed between the Abia State Government and the Rainbow Heritage Group (RHG) to revamp the iconic but moribund Enyimba Hotel, abandoned for over 46 years

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Speaking to our correspondent, Pastor Mrs. Onyeka Maduako, a widow and tenant on People’s Road, recounted how a group arrived on Friday, March 28, and began marking structures far from the hotel premises.

“We were shocked when they started marking houses here. From Enyimba to this place is far. We don’t know where to go. I’m a widow, and many of us here pray regularly for our governor. We believe he is a good man and hope his administration will not abandon us in this condition,” she said tearfully.

Another resident, Chief Ofo, questioned the logic behind demolishing properties located hundreds of meters away from the Enyimba Hotel under the pretense of expansion, stating that the hotel’s boundaries are well-known and fenced.

Maze Isaac Nwafo, another landlord and member of the Labour Party, expressed concern over the economic implications of the demolition, noting that several small-scale factories and family homes are at risk.

“There are more than 30 workers behind my house in a factory. Where will they go if this place is demolished? I know the governor. He is a good man. We just want him to apply a human face to this process,” he pleaded.

The residents say no official from the Abia State Government has addressed them directly, and those who arrived to mark buildings allegedly presented no identification or clear explanation of their mission.

Chief Amechi Chikwabas, chairman of the Uburu Towns Union in Aba and another affected resident, said he relocated to Pepple Road after losing his previous home to kidnappers years ago.

“We all supported the governor during the elections because of his connection to our place. But now we are being displaced again. We are not fighting the government. We are only pleading to be considered,” he said.

Although some residents admitted to not having full documentation for their properties, others claim to possess Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and are prepared to defend their legal rights.

They called on Governor Alex Otti to intervene urgently and clarify the scope of the Enyimba Hotel project, to prevent avoidable displacement of long-settled families, tenants, and business owners in the area.

At the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the Abia State Government regarding the alleged encroachment on Pepple Road or the scope of the Enyimba Hotel redevelopment plan.