The Rivers State Government has threatened to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of the former Trans-Amadi Slaughter market land where a popular shopping mall is built.
This came following a peaceful protest by the people of Oginigba community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state over alleged land grabbing by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The protesters, comprising youths, women and men from the community called on the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to come to their rescue.
The State Head of Civil Service, Dr George Nweke, while addressing the people thanked them for their peaceful disposition.
Nweke, however, said all lands belong to the government, pointing out that the Certificate of Occupancy of any land illegally acquired would be revoked.
He stated, “Rivers State is blessed with a very good leadership. It is blessed with a leadership that thinks of the people, a government that is produced by the people.
“This is a government that has taken an oath to protect the people, their lives and their property. It is disheartening to hear the pathetic story that was told.
“Whereas they should have been thinking of how to enlarge your land to see how they can get you because I know the sacrifices you have made with those properties that people, companies here and there.
“So, I want to say that I hope you heard the message, so that you will hand it over and I can give it to the governor. But before it comes, what I will assure you is that the governor is the owner and custodian of all lands in Rivers State. Everything has a procedure, the procedure for the acquisition of land and all associated rights. If they are not followed, then that process would be repossessed.”
Earlier, leader of the protesters, Elder George Ariolu, said the people of the area (Oginigba) were deceived that the land would be used for a state project but to their surprise, it was handed over to a private shopping mall belonging to the immediate past governor of the state to do business.
Elder Ariolu stated, “We came here on a peaceful protest to let His Excellency know that our land was forcefully taken away from us by the ex-governor of Rivers State and some of his men.
“They allocated to themselves and allocated to a company called Hypercity without consultation whatsoever. Not one day did they call the community people for any meeting. And we have been there for the past two weeks; nobody has come to speak with us. That is why we came here.”
Our correspondent reports that the people of Oginigba community have occupied land for almost a week before taking their protest to the Government House along Azakiwe Road, Port Harcourt.