The people of Bundu Ama community in the Port Harcourt Township, 12th amnesty International, C-map SDN and media for justice have celebrated the 5th anniversary of the 12th October, 2009 shooting by government security agents, occasioned by forceful eviction of their land, people and demolition of their landed properties.
The celebration which took place on Sunday attracted over 2,000 participant from various walks of life, including traditional rulers, elders, Wakirike Ijaw women, concerned citizens of Wakirike, youth groups, national, local and state musicians, masquerade groups among others.
In his opening speech, the chairman of Bundu-Ama community, Comrade Prince Adah Williams pointed out that the Rivers State government of insensitivity to humanity over the shooting and killing of the people of Bundu Ama, adding that the government has no respect for the defenceless citizens of Nigeria, as Bundu-Ama has no criminals. “This is the 5th year, we are commemorating the Bundu day, the day Rivers State government, led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was insensitive to human nature, adding that in every existing community, including Ubima, there are disable and insane people as well as criminals.
Speaking further, Comrade Williams noted that there is an homogeneous attitude in every community and organized people with rich culture can investigate and prosecute criminals according a prescribed law. “Because of few criminals, he wants to displace millions of people; he does not even know how to settle people. All what he wants is they should go away”, admitting that government owns all lands by 1978 land Use Decree, but as a government it should have proper negotiation with leaders of such settlements, let the leaders participate in the project and concept of the government for its people.
According to Williams, our settlements should not be demolished for personal or private purposes, using the name of government and afterwards the government buys it for petroleum tank farm business, but wondered whether the fencing of Abonnema Wharf and Njemanze were for Housing or petroleum tank farm business. “Government is continuity, government go, another government will come, you won’t be there forever. We will never remain in captivity forever, Williams boasted.
Speaking with newsmen after his opening speech, Comrade Williams claimed that Bundu-Ama has achieved something through the ECOWAS Court justice, with the help of Amnesty International, SERAP and other rights groups, saying that their case was ruled in their favour against the Nigerian government. “That judgment has given us sense of belonging. We have now known our rights to protest. The government has no right to forcefully evict us. We are now recognized internationally, admitting that financial compensation for the wonder and the deaths is in the pipeline, as Rivers State Government does not have absolute right to thwart the given judgment, as “government should realize that there is leadership and original owners of these waterfront communities, “He advised government to come out in the open and give that sense of belonging to the indigenes so that there will be harmonious relationship.
Also speaking was Comrade Genesis Miebaka, chairman Igbikisikala-Ama who described the anniversary as unique and successful, adding that the needed justice has been prevail as the right groups were doing something that would positively effect the wonder persons. ###
Bennett James
