Banana Plantation: PDP Lauds Ogoni People For Dragging Gov. Amaechi Before NHRC
The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today welcomes the action of the people of Ogoni, commending them for being resolute and united in taking Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State government to the National Human Rights Commission over Land grabbing and abuse of rights of local farmers and landowners of the Banana farm in Ogoni.
The PDP, describing the Ogoni people as civilized, most organized and courageous, even in the face of intimidation and oppression, says such action is most applaudable considering the manner the Rivers State Government under Governor Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited outright impunity and intimidation of the landlords, community people and few voices in the area, who have condemned the Government's forceful seizure of the massive land belonging to the people and on which they earned their means of subsistence.
The Party notes that it is only by taking such legitimate action that the people's voice would be heard as the Rivers State Government has used every machinery at its disposal in trying to silence the people perpetually, thereby denying them their right to live.
The PDP however notes that it is aware of spurious efforts by the Governor to cause incisive division amongst the people and to thwart the efforts of the Human Rights Commission in ensuring that the people of Ogoni, particularly the Sogho communities get justice in the matter, but that it would continue to encourage the people to remain steadfast and courageous, assuring them that justice must prevail at the end of the day.
The PDP also appeals to the leaders of the people not to yield to the pressure by agents of government in and outside the area, who have been heavily mobilized with huge funds to discourage and cause disaffection among the people on the matter so as to give the government a leeway.
It equally admonishes the local people to be careful not to surrender to pressure, even as the struggle has been penetrated and compromised by few individuals whose quest is to milk-dry both the people and the government.
The people of Ogoni have dragged Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State Government to the National Human Rights Commission over the illegal seizure of their land for the widely criticized Banana Farm project in Sogho communities in Khana Local Government Area, in Ogoni and the death of over 9 persons.
The Ogoni on Monday, May 19, 2014 presented their case on the Banana Farm and alleged rights violation by the Governor of Rivers State and the Rivers State Government to the NHRC sitting in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The sitting is expected to last for four days May 19-22, 2014 during which the NHRC will entertain issues of land grabbing, waterfront evictions and demolitions without adequate compensation and other rights abuses perpetrated by Governor Amaechi and the Rivers State Government.
Signed:
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser, on Media to
State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah
Tuesday, May 20, 2014