FAMILY IN OGBUM-NU-ABALI SAYS SOME PEOPLE IN THE GUISE OF STATE GOVERNMENT ARE ATTEMPTING TO FORCEFULLY ACQUIRE THEIR LAND.




A family in Ogbum-nu-abali through a demonstration today, notified the Rivers State Government of an attempt by some unnamed persons to forcefully sand fill their land, and claim it. The family said the persons are acting under the guise of the state government.


The Rivers State Government in 2016, began the reclamation of a water filled area in Ogbum-nu-abali and Nkpogu communities. According to the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the move is part of the its economic package, and is expected to expand the communities. In 2016, the Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Special Projects, Mr. Cyril Dum Wite said the reclamation was aimed at developing a housing estate in the area.


But members of Okey family in Ogbum-nu-abali, led by their chairman, Lawrence Chike accused the unnamed persons of using the project as a guise to encroach into their family land. They claim the land was not part of the project’s design, but is being included in a move to forcefully acquire it.


“They started to sandfill our water front, this is not a waterfront, they want to also sandfill here, maybe to claim the land. We will resist the attempt to sandfill the place because it is not a waterfront.” Lawrence told Rhythm FM.

He also said the family has written to the Rivers State Government but received no reply from them. Another member of the family said their demonstration was to let the government know that this is their land, and "it is not for sale".


Credit: Touch PH