...Frowns at Govt’s Land Encroachment
By Eric Moore
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 of 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, His Royal Highness, Emere Harry Akara, Paramount Ruler of Ejama XII, said the community is not against government developing their land, but they need industry to create job opportunities for their teeming youths.
He said: “That land is situate within Ejama territory along East West road. It’s a farmland we farm every four years. But, some years back, when land was under Land Use Act, Federal Government came and negotiated to use that place for Federal Industrial Town.
“But, our leadership then opposed to it; that, instead of using that place 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, federal government could not use that place.
“Few years back, 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 that 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 that land would be used as one of the areas they (government) want to use for housing estate. They went there and started excavating that place. Our women protested.”
The monarch alleged that some women of 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, over their crops and treated as if they are criminals. Their crops were destroyed that day. So, we wrote the governor on the 20th of August, 2024, informing him that that land belongs to us. That, if any thing should be done on that land, that he should negotiate with us, rather than invading the land and destroying our crops. But, the governor Didi not reply us till date.
“All of a sudden, we heard that 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 is the invasion of our land and destruction of our crops. That’s the only thing we survive from.”
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 ear, as government officials insisted on evicting them.
She said: “We don’t need any housing project. We need industries that would be useful to our children. We want government to build industry that would give our children hope.”