The Rivers State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, is pained to recall the excruciating experience of land and property owners across the State who have to forfeit their part or whole property to either government or natural disasters occasioned by the ongoing reconstruction programme in the State.
In a press statement by the Action Congress issued and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, the party while sympathizing with all the affected persons and groups said such is the price of development with hardly an alternative solution.
The ACN Spokesman, Jerry Needam, however enjoins the government and the construction companies to keep faith with the Principle of Compensation as contained in the contractual agreements as always emphasized by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whose assurances may have convinced the people to willingly give in to such unsolicited displacements and disasters.
But disappointingly, Jerry Needam pointed out, unless people take to the streets and conduct themselves in a disorderly manner the government hardly wakes up to this agreement.
He expressed surprise that up till date attention is yet to be paid to the victims of the flood disaster at Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt which dealt a devastating blow to many residents, forcing them out of their houses and destroying millions of naira worth of property, all occasioned by the construction work by MESSRS STEMCO Construction Company.
“Though it is needless to apportion blame for this incident, neither is it in doubt that both the government and the construction company meant well for the people but if a proper study of the environment was made the disaster would have been either prevented or checkmated.
Nonetheless, it’s only wise and expedient to assist the residents recoup some losses with the relevant authorities and departments meeting with these landlords with a view to reasonably paying them compensation”, the ACN said.
This, according to the CAN will pave way for both government and construction companies into new areas that may be so affected in future as development is an ongoing thing with little or no resistance from the people. Development, it concluded is meant for man and not man for development.
Jerry Needam, JP
Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Rivers State
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