Indigenes of Ejama community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have kicked against the Rivers State government’s proposed housing project on their land, condemning the project as an ‘encroachment of their land by the state government without the knowledge of, and consultation with the indigenes and stakeholders of the community.
The people raised the concern during a town-hall meeting in the community, pointing out that they need industry not housing, and explaining that the large expanse of land was reserved by the forefathers for the establishment of factories.
Addressing journalists alongside the Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Emere Harry Akara, Paramount Ruler of Ejama XII, said the community is not against the government developing their land, but they need industry to create job opportunities for their teeming youths.
He said: “That land is situated within Ejama territory along East West road. It’s farmland where we farm every four years. But, some years back, when land was under the Land Use Act, the Federal Government came and negotiated to use that place for a federal industrial town.
“But, our leadership then opposed it; that, instead of using that place for a 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, judgment 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 up, that the then paramount ruler sold the land.
“So, they contended over it in court. Judgment 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. 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 were criminals. Their crops were destroyed that day. So, we wrote to the Governor on the 20th of August, 2024, informing him that that land belongs to us. That, if anything should be done on that 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,” Akara agonised.
“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, what 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 ears, 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 the government to build an industry that would give our children hope.”
