The people of Eleme Ethnic Nationality have planned a peaceful protest over the sacking of Ekporo community and government insensitivity.
Hon. Jonah Chujor made this known at a general meeting of the Eleme people at the Eleme Civic Centre.
In a communiqué issued and presented by the President General of Eleme General Assembly Hon. Jonah Chujor, the people condemned in strong terms the sacking of one of their communities (Ekporo) by the people of Ogu community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government both in Rivers State.
The statement also condemned the non-challant attitude of the government at all levels and the various security agencies over the sacking of the community, despite the fact that security agents were fully informed during and after the incident especially as the government remains silence on the matter till date.
The people of Eleme Ethnic Nationality maintained that relevant authorities that are saddled with the responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of its citizenry have failed to see the return of Ekporo people to their ancestral home, the people have decided to press home their demand in return of their people who are now internally displaced from their homeland.
The Eleme people further explained that the peaceful protest will take place within the Eleme axis to demonstrate their displeasure on 13th October, 2014.
On the UNEP Report, the Eleme people strongly solicited for a separate treatment from the one of the Ogoni region stating that the Eleme people stand on the paper presented to the Federal Government through the Matthew Kukah Committee on Federal Government/Shell Reconciliation with oil producing communities in Rivers State in 2007 depositing that Eleme should not be lumped up in the various steps taken towards the implementation of the UNEP Report.
The communiqué further condemned the sitting of the Girls Secondary School belonging to Ogu people on Eleme land by the Federal Government as they voted to disassociate themselves from KAGOTE a socio-political organization of Ogoni elite. The communiqué only mandated the Eleme Local Government Council, O-E” LABOBOR Eleme and the traditional council, on the marginalization of Eleme people working in Indorama Petrochemical Ltd to be looked into.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, Chief Friday Kaawii stated that the meeting was in a right direction as they discussed development and the progress of the people.
A former chairman of Eleme Local Government Chief Ejor Ejor described Okporo issue as a challenge that must be looked into.
Barr. Kaanwii Isaiah and Brown Osaro Dede have earlier expressed their concern over the injustice one to Ekporo community, despite the judgment in their favour some years ago.
However, in a swift reaction to the pulling out of Eleme from KAGOTE, the President of KAGOTE, Dr. Peter Medee denied that Eleme people had pulled out of KAGOTE, but maintained that Eleme is still part of Ogoni and KAGOTE.###
