Abia House of Assembly averts bloodbath, resolves dispute in Umunneochi

Abia State House of Assembly has intervened in the communal problem at Amaubiri in Lokpaukwu
Umuchieze of Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state over a disagreement on the firm to carry out quarry activities in the area.
The contention was among three quarrying companies, including Pioneer Sino Chino Investment Company, Asphalt Unity Construction and Allied Bond companies, all laying claims to the rightful mandate of the community to operate at Aguokeakpu Amaubiri quarry site.
The contention almost tore the community apart as the 35 land owners in the quarry site were divided on the issues, with each camp supporting each of the companies.
The situation got to the level of threatening the peace of the community which forced the traditional rulers in the area to organize an internal election for the land owners to choose among the firms.
The election did not help matters as the group that lost refused to accept the outcome.
To avoid imminent bloodbath, the immediate past 5th Session of Abia State House of Assembly waded into the crisis and after investigation, directed Pioneer Sino Chino Investment Company to commence the quarrying of granite stone activities at Aguokeakpu Amaubiri site in Umunneochi council area of the state, saying it was the firm that had authentic mandate to operate there.
The House, therefore, directed the other two companies, Asphalt Unity Construction and Allied Bond companies, to stop further work and stay off the disputed quarrying site.
The resolution, which was signed by the clerk/permanent secretary of the House, Mr. JohnPedro Irokansi, said any activity carried out at the quarry site by the other two companies would be an illegality.
According to the resolution, Pioneer Sino Chino has the legal right to carry out quarrying of granite stone at the Aguokeakpu Amaubiri.
The resolution warned that “the legal right obtained by the authorized company, which is Pioneer Sino Chino, must be protected at all times and that the two other companies being barred from working there, should stop fanning the embers of confusion.”
The House said, having looked at both the oral and documentary evidences, everything pointed to the fact that Pioneer Sino Chino was the rightful owner of the lease right to the quarry site.
The resolution stated: “The company called Pioneer Sino Chino has the legal right over the quarry site located at Aguokeakpu Amaubiri. Pioneer Sino Chino presented before the House, the Lease No. 19738 QLS from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel development and that the documents were acknowledged by the zonal representative of the relevant ministry.
“That the representative of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel
Development has de-listed Allied Bond Standard Company as such, it has no operating power to be at the quarry site in Umunneochi.”
The House, therefore, warned the two other companies to desist from interfering in any way or impeding the legal rights of Pioneer Sino Chino to carry out quarry activities at the quarry site at Umunneochi.