Former President of the Media Workers Multipurpose Cooperative Society (MWMCS), Mr. Ikechukwu Onyia, has called on the management of the Cubana Millennium Group to respect the authority of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, by honouring invitations extended to the firm to achieve an amicable resolution over a parcel of land it allegedly forcefully acquired in the state.
Speaking to newsmen on Friday in Asaba, Mr. Onyia expressed deep concern over the alleged forcible takeover of 28 acres of land located at Issele-Azagba, which legitimately belongs to the Media Workers Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
Onyia criticized the Cubana Millennium Group’s repeated refusal to engage in constructive dialogue, stating that their actions suggest an attempt to operate above the law and disregard the administrative interventions of the state government.
”The Cubana Millennium Group is behaving as if they are above the law by grabbing the entire 28 acres of land belonging to the cooperative society at Issele-Azagba,” Onyia stated.
”We urge them to toe the line of honour and show respect to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who has intervened in the matter by asking the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the issue is amicably resolved; however, the Cubana Millennium Group has shunned all invitations to the meeting.
”The Cubana Millennium Group is not above the law; they are not above the government and cannot forcefully take land belonging to several persons simply because they claim to be rich and heavily connected.
”There is what is called the law of natural justice unless we are now operating in an era where the rule of law and respect for others no longer apply.
”The Cubana Millennium Group is not only disrespecting our Governor and the government of Delta State, but also all Deltans; what they are doing is taking us back to the age when might was right.
”On several occasions, the cooperative society tried to reach them, but all efforts were ignored before we wrote to our Governor for his intervention, yet, it seems they are also snubbing our Governor.
”What the Cubana Millennium Group is doing is beyond recklessness, and I call on members of the cooperative society to be patient because our Governor has made it clear that no individual or group is above the law, especially in Delta State.
”I am aware of moves by retired civil servants and civil society groups, including human rights activists, to picket the company; however, we have to be careful before such actions are hijacked by people with sinister intentions.
“It is not wrong to be a law-abiding citizen or group in Delta State.
”The Cubana Millennium Group should honour all invitations to resolve this matter amicably.”
The cooperative society maintains its commitment to lawful means in protecting its assets and calls on all relevant stakeholders and authority figures in Delta State to ensure justice is served and the rights of media workers are protected.
