Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The People of Rumuoparaeli in Port Harcourt are asking the Rivers State Government to recognize the community for using its land for developmental purposes.
The Elders and Opinion Leaders in Rumuoparaeli Community made this known to newsmen after a visit to media houses in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on behalf of the community, an opinion leader SUNNY WACHUKWU said the people of Rumuoparaeli want the State Government to name the fruit Garden Market after the community.
“The Rumuoparaeli Community is one of the communities that make up Abali in Ribisi, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State. That Rumuoparaeli Community is one of the major landowners in Port Harcourt, which includes the entire Old GRA, to Port Harcourt City Council, from the present fruit Garden market to mile-one market and its environs, part of mile-one Diobu and part of mile-two Diobu Port Harcourt”.
“All these land owned by the Rumuoparaeli Community was forcefully acquired by the then Eastern regional government without any compensation from the government. In the year 1956 to be précised, the Eastern regional government of Nigeria invaded our community situated in the present Old GRA Port Harcourt, fell our mud houses and forcefully ejected us from our ancestral homes thereby making the Rumuoparaeli people scatter all over the communities in Abali. The suffering and trauma experienced by our fathers and mothers caused the death of some people in the community” he said.
“The community also frowned at the manner where a project is been constructed in our land and we are not impacted or inculcated in it. Example, the construction of mile one market which did not bear the name of Rumuoparaeli community nor stores or shed allocated to the community for releasing their land for this purpose is a typical example of our argument” he stated.
Another community member, INNOCENT OTUONYE while commending Governor NYESOM WIKE on his developmental strides appealed to the State Government to give appointments to sons and daughters of Rumuoparaeli community.
Our correspondent reports that the Elders and Opinion Leaders of Rumuoparaeli Community also congratulated Governor NYSEOM WIKE on his re-election as Rivers State Governor.
