The Amanta Community in Abiriba, located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, has announced its firm opposition to the proposed acquisition of its ancestral land for a palm plantation project by Presco PLC. As part of its protest, the community has indefinitely sealed the King’s Palace, signaling its unwavering stance on the matter.
According to community leaders, Amanta will not make its ancestral farmland available for large-scale commercial palm plantation development. While acknowledging that Presco PLC may continue discussions with other Abiriba communities, including Ukpo, Amamba, and Ogbu, the people of Amanta insist that their land is not available for such purposes.
The community emphasized that it does not possess the vast expanse of land reportedly being sought for the proposed project and remains committed to protecting its cultural heritage, ancestral identity, and the interests of future generations.
Amanta residents stated that their opposition is not against development but against projects they believe could permanently alter their traditional heritage and communal identity. They expressed their willingness to support meaningful development initiatives that directly benefit the public, including the establishment of industries, universities, schools, hospitals, and other essential community infrastructure.
However, the community maintained that any land voluntarily allocated for such public-interest projects should be limited to a maximum of 100 plots per project to ensure sustainable land management and preserve their ancestral heritage.
ALSO READ: INEC 2026 Recruitment Exercise: Vacancies, Requirements, Eligibility and How to Apply
The people of Amanta reaffirmed that their decision is rooted in the desire to protect their land, culture, and future while remaining open to responsible and sustainable development that genuinely serves the interests of the community.
