The Ndiebor Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ebonyi State has appealed to the Ministry of Works, the project contractor and relevant authorities to obey [Senator David Umahi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Umahi)’s directive on borrow‑pit activities linked to the Calabar‑Ebonyi‑Enugu‑Benue‑Nasarawa‑Abuja superhighway, insisting that landowners give consent, farms be protected and compensation be paid for any damage.
**Key points raised by the community**
- A joint statement, signed by the traditional ruler Eze Hyacinth Awoke Nwiboko and the community president, reiterated support for the highway while demanding concrete actions to safeguard agricultural lands.
- The statement praised the interventions of [Governor Francis Nwifuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Nwifuru) and Senator Peter Nwebonyi, noting their roles in addressing the community’s concerns.
- Residents listed yam, cassava, rice, millet and beniseed as the main crops at risk, warning that loss of productive farmland could deepen local poverty.
- The community called for a transparent assessment of alleged losses, proper compensation for verified damage, and the reclamation of abandoned borrow pits.
**What does the community demand?**
The stakeholders insist that the minister’s directive be translated into measurable steps: obtaining explicit consent from landowners before any excavation, consulting host communities through traditional institutions, and implementing environmental safeguards to protect the surrounding ecosystem.
**Why is the superhighway important?**
While the community backs the project for its potential to improve transport links, ease the movement of agricultural produce and stimulate economic growth across the six beneficiary states, it cautions that development must not override property rights, livelihoods or environmental safety.
**How should disputes be avoided?**
The statement urges the establishment of clear communication channels involving traditional leaders, community representatives, landowners, project supervisors and the contractor. It stresses that early dialogue can prevent misunderstandings, build trust and resolve grievances before they escalate.
**Quote from the statement**
"Our community supports the superhighway project and recognises its potential to boost transportation, trade and economic development. However, we maintain that infrastructure development must respect the land rights, agricultural livelihoods and environmental safety of host communities," the document read.
**Broader development context**
The community acknowledged the state government’s broader development agenda and the senator’s legislative efforts to attract the highway project to the region. It appealed to both state and federal officials to maintain engagement with the Ministry of Works and the contractor to ensure that the concerns of affected residents receive appropriate attention.
**Conclusion**
By reaffirming their willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government, the Ebonyi State Government, the Ministry of Works and the construction firm, the community hopes that strict compliance with Umahi’s directive will lead to practical measures that protect landowners, settle compensation claims and allow the superhighway to progress without further conflict.