Sep 09, 2011

Ogoni: OSF Threatens To Sue Rivers State Over Plantation Project


According to the Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), the Rivers State Government has taken over 800 hectares of land belonging to Ogoni people without their consent in order to set up a banana plantation project.

Below is an article published by Fresh Plaza.

The Ogoni Solidarity Forum has threatened to drag the Rivers State government to court for allegedly taking over lands belonging to Ogonis for a Banana plantation project. The Programme Officer of the Social Action and National Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum, Akpobari Celestine in an interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday accused the state government of collaborating with a few Ogoni leaders to take over 800 hectares of land belonging to Ogoni people without negotiating with the owners.

"Before the end of this week, we are going to file a case in court, challenging the Rivers State government and the state's Commissioner for Agriculture for taking over lands belonging to Ogoni people without their approval," he said. The group said while the Banana plantation project was commendable, the process through which the land was acquired was faulty.

Meanwhile, the River State Ministry of Agriculture has also acquired another 50 hectares of land in Asari Toro Local Government Area of the state to be handed over to Israelis for a fish farming project. The state's Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda told newsmen that the Banana and fish farming projects were aimed at tackling unemployment and showcasing to the world the agricultural potential of the state.