1 week ago
37
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Indigenes of Ejama community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have kicked against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led government’s proposed housing project on their land.
They have also condemned encroachment on their land by the state government without the knowledge and consultation with the natives.
The natives raised the concerns during their town hall meeting in the community, stressing that the people need industry not housing, noting that the large expanse of land was reserved for establishment of industry by their forefathers.
Addressing journalists alongside the Council of Chiefs, Emere Harry Akara, the paramount ruler of Ejama XII, said the community was not against the government developing their land, but they needed industry to create job opportunities for their teeming youths.
“That land is situated within Ejama territory along East West Road. It’s the farmland we cultivate every four years. But, some years back, when land was under Land Use Act, the Federal Government came and negotiated to use that place for Federal Industrial Town.
“But, our leadership then opposed it, insisting that instead of using it for Federal Industrial Town, they should use it for companies, so that our children can benefit because that is the only land space we have.
“So, they contended over it in court. After some years, judgement was given in favour of the community. So, the Federal Government could not use that place.
“A few years back, the Federal Government, through the state government, brought six companies. But, while the companies were making preparations by way of fencing that place, some issues came onboard, that the then paramount ruler sold the land.
“So, they contended over it in court. Judgement was given that the land was not sold. It belongs to the community; that they want to use it for industries. But, the industries did not come further because of those litigations. “Surprisingly, as our lovely governor (Siminalayi Fubara) came onboard, who loves development, he suggested that the land should be used as one of the areas the government wants to use for housing. They went there and started excavating that place. Our women protested.”
The monarch alleged that some women of the Ejama community, who went to farm were assaulted by some government officials forcing them to vacate the land.
“Our mothers were chased away over their lands and their crops and treated as if they were criminals. Their crops were destroyed that day. So, we wrote to the governor on August 20, 2024, informing him that the land belongs to us. That if anything should be done on the land, that he should negotiate with us, rather than invading the land and destroying our crops. But, the governor did not reply to us till date.
“All of a sudden, we heard that the government is about grading the land. So, we frown at that. We are calling on the state governor. We are not against any development that he is carrying out in the state. But, we are against the invasion of our land and destruction of our crops. That’s the only thing we survive on.”
Corroborating the alleged attack, Chief (Mrs.) Ada Nwosu said he has about 10 acres of land within the expanse of land, saying all her pleas with other women fell on deaf ears, as the government officials insisted on evicting them.
“We don’t need any housing projects. We need industries that would be useful to our children. We want the government to build an industry that would give our children hope,” she said.
English (US) ·