Issele-Azagba Community Protests Cubana Millennium City Project

By: Johnson Pleasant Onyinyechi 

The Issele-Azagba community has staged a strong protest against the Cubana Millennium City Project, accusing the Obi Cubana-led group of forcefully taking over and destroying community farmland. The community called on the Delta State Government to urgently intervene and halt the ongoing development pending proper negotiation and due process.

This was announced during a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Asaba at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1, where community leaders addressed journalists on what they described as an “unlawful and provocative incursion” into their ancestral land.

Speaking at the briefing, Elder Patrick Isichei, President-General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, said the community was taken aback when “suddenly, the Obi Cubana Group entered the disputed land and began destroying farmlands and erecting structures,” despite ongoing government mediation to keep the peace.

Isichei further disclosed that the community had earlier petitioned the Deputy Governor over the land dispute, but “it fell on deaf ears,” as no action was taken and the Cubana Group continued activities on the land.

According to him, the Issele-Azagba community had fully complied with the Deputy Governor’s directive instructing both communities involved in the dispute to stay off the land until the government concluded its boundary and ownership review. However, he said the Cubana Group has disregarded the directive.

The President-General also revealed that the groundbreaking for new structures is scheduled for tomorrow, a move he described as provocative given the unresolved land ownership issues.

“While we welcome him, we urge him to do the needful,” Isichei said. “Let him pay homage, let him come and say they are sorry, because the land belongs to us. We are not anti-investment. But they must come and negotiate not forcefully acquire our land.”

Also speaking, community spokesperson Iyke Augustine said the Cubana Group had bulldozed “the entire land,” a situation he said had left residents distressed and fearful.

He added that neighbouring Okpanam community members were selling off lands in the broader area, further escalating tensions and creating confusion over rightful ownership.

Augustine stressed that the Issele-Azagba community is not opposed to development, investment, or private sector projects, but insists that “due process must be followed,” emphasising that no developer should take possession of community land without genuine negotiation, consent, or adequate compensation.

The community leaders reaffirmed their willingness to engage with investors, including the Cubana Group, once proper procedures are respected.