The Ogoni Solidarity Forum, OSF, Social Action S.A. and the land owners in Kaani, Sogho and Ueken in Khana and Tai Local Government Areas have warned that unless the Rivers State government and the Ministry of Agriculture retrace their steps on the issue of land grabbing in Ogoni land, the people might experience the dark days of 1994.
The warning was given in a press briefing at Social Action Office at Orominike layout, Port Harcourt on May 9, 2012. The Spokesman of both organizations, Mr. Celestine Akpoobari, said presently the matter is in court with suit No.FHC/PH/CS/556/2011, and that the government should respect the court process.
Mr. Akpoobari told the press that the Rivers State government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has violated the human rights of the Ogoni people by not following due process to acquire 2000 hectare of farm lands by the Mexican investors, Union De Iniciativa S.A De C.V to undertake a commercial banana plantation in Ogoni.
He noted that over 30,000 land owners in the affected communities in Nyokhana, Tai and Babbe Kingdoms will suffer grave hunger if the government dispossessed them of their personal farm land. He however recalled how the Federal government failed to use the affected land as a military base in the past. Mr. Akpoobari bitterly explained that the owners of the farm land were not aware until the Joint Task Force came to survey and mark the land which was a shock to them. He stated that the best practices in land acquisition by government must show an overriding public interest and must offer those who lost their land an alternative and suitable land acceptable to them with adequate compensation.
The survey of the lands started since May 16, 2011, with the measure of heavily armed military men according to the project officer of Social Action. Some documents made available indicate that the request made by the ministry of Agriculture to the Paramount Ruler of Sogho Community on “Establishment of Banana Farm in your community,” on 15th May, 2011 were approved by some Chiefs on 16th of May, 24 hours without consulting the community. Recent development in Ogoni farms shows that equipment for the site clearing arrived at Saakpenwa in Tai which has created outcry, tension and panic among the people, a situation which might lead to unforeseen situations.
Mr. Celestine Akpoobari stated the Ogoni people demand the following from the State government; to conduct an immediate, public and inclusive consultation with the affected communities, stop any other action until the case in court be disposed off, that government should work towards the immediate implementation of UNEP report on Ogoni and make public available the land survey and Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (EM) conducted before the project. Other demand includes the immediate prosecution of police men who shot dead two Sogho Youths, namely, Mr. John Daubari and Goteh Keenan on June 12 2011 while on peaceful protest against land seizure from Sogho community.
The government should stop the ongoing survey of another 10,000 hectares in Lueku for another Risonpalm Highland project. Mr. Akpoobari noted so many farm lands forcefully taken from Ogoni by government and the projects later abandoned, such as fish pond Nonwa in Tai, school to land farm in Kpaa/Daen, school to land in Bori, Agricultural demonstration farm Taabaa in Khana, IITA Onnç in Eleme and the UST farm land in Onne among others.
He said Universities are relocated to Ikwere LGA, including the University of Port Harcourt Hospital which was demolished three years ago was now relocated to Umuagba in Ikwerre land, and queried why banana farms are for the Ogonis. He therefore called on the Governor who benefited from a court process to respect the rule of law.
In their separate reactions Chief Dede Agbe, Elder Basil Mkpordee and Aluzim Emmanuel representing land owners in Tai, Kaani and Sogho advised government who claimed to be transparent and honest, to be open in their dealing with the people. It could be recalled that there have been series of demonstrations to the Rivers State House of Assembly to register their protests and in seeking the protection of their fundamental Human rights which the United Nations recognized especially cultural rights as one of the people’s rights. ####
previous post
