Aggrieved Natives of Umuezoka, Umuezeokaoha, Umuoghara and Oriuzor communities in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and a civil society organisation, Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation, on Tuesday, protested demolition of their houses and farmlands, for the construction of airport in the area.
The natives, protested from People’s Club through VANCO and eventually to Ebonyi State Government House, Abakaliki, lamenting non payment of compensation by the State Government, after the demolition.
They said their health was currently in danger, having been exposed to bad weather and infectious insects since the demolition, adding that they welcomed the project, but were not comfortable with the current situation Government action had unknowingly thrown them in.
According to them, over 2000 buildings were demolished in the exercise, which took place on February 6, 2020, stressing that their loved ones were currently scattered across neighbouring states of Cross Rivers, Abia, Enugu and Benue, owing to their present plight.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Government, please protect us;, “We are suffering,”, “Are we not part of Nigeria again,” amongst others, the indigenes said they were particularly perturbed, lamenting non provision or alternative abodes nor compensation, since the demolition took place.
One of the displaced natives of the area, Monday Nworu, said they were appealing to the government to come to their aid, instead of allegedly abandoning them to fate.
He added that life had been harsh since their houses were pulled down last month, saying it was preferable that government provided a place for them to stay, than to pay them N100,000.000 each, as compensation.
“We are appealing to the government to come and assist us. We are suffering. Our people are now scattered all over the places because of this condition. Over 1000 had been demolished in these communities. We are finished.
“We are not greedy and are not against the airport project. But we are saying that if government doesn’t want to adequately compensate us, let them provide a place for us to place, instead of leaving us loiter around in the bush like this,” Nworu said.
Another affected indigene, Mrs Theresa Nwaele, said they were in Government House to let government know that life had become unbearable for them.
The nursing mother, said, “Government has all it takes to adequately compensate them, but our leaders are frustrating every move made by Government to resettle us.”
The Chairman of HURIDE in the state, Comrade Samson Nweke, whose members also took part in the protest, said people of the area were now leaving in the bush like rodents, hence the reason they were in Government House to draw government attention to it.
He noted that it didn’t cost the State Government anything to resettle the displaced indigenes, saying it was the duty of government to protect lives and property of the citizenry.
Addressing the protesters, Chief of Staff to Governor David Umahi, Emmanuel Ofor-Okorie, told them to go back to their leaders of thought to find out what government had done to address their plights.
He noted that the way they were going about making their demands known to government and others, was not the best.
He said: “We understand your plight, but we also want you to be orderly and principled making your demands known to the government. This is not the best approach. Government has been on this matter and had equally adequate provision to take care of your situation.
“I advise you to go back and laise with leaders of thought in your communities. So, go back to them and write me. I will surely present your letter to the Governor. “
