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Njemanze waterfront demolished leaving thousands displaced

On Friday 28 August 2009 the government bulldozers finally came to Njemanze Waterfront.

On Friday 28 August 2009 the government bulldozers finally came to Njemanze Waterfront in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Roads to Njemanze were barricaded by a large number of heavily armed security personnel from the police, the army and Joint Task Force.

Reports claim soldiers were beating, harassing and intimidating helpless citizens to make them clear the area. Many of the residents had only one thing on their mind; “We do not have anywhere to go.”

The waterfront settlements have been build up on reclaimed land by the communities who, despite having no government help, have made them into working if ramshackle townships where people work and live. The Government however portrays the areas as illegal settlements where criminals and millitants hide out, a discourse that helps justify the forced displacement.

The Rivers State Government has vowed to return Port-Harcourt to a 'Garden City' status by demolishing large areas of unplanned settlements on prime pieces of land, settlements that have housed tens of thousands of local people for many years.

The commissioner of Urban Development Mr Osima Gina was present to supervise the demolition on behalf of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

Addressing waiting journalists he assured that; “What they are demolishing now are properties [that have] been compensated by the government. All the landlord of Njemaze have been paid compensations [but] there has been [a] communication deadlock between the Tenant Union and the Government.”

The offices of the Tenants Union of Nigeria was demolished as part of a previous 'Urban renewal' initiative last year and most of the tenants of Njenanze claim to have received nothing.

The commissioner also said that after the demolitions the government would embark on massive housing project but this is of little solace to those cast out of their homes.

Local people have accused Governor Chibuike Amaechi of having a hidden agenda aimed at dividing the waterfront communities and creating further conflict, a prospect that may well materialise whether intentional of not.

Tensions are running high in the waterfront areas of Port Harcourt as many thousands more face imenent eviction.

“We don’t fight , we don’t make trouble, should they push us from our own land? If they want peace we will them peace, if they want war we will give them. We have been victimised and humiliated. We do business here, we fish here.” Said Mr. James, attending a local rally against the evictions.

Speaking on the matter, Mrs. Oscar said; “We don’t want to fight. We are complaining everywhere and we want people to help us, we say no to demolition and they cannot destroy one house in our community, we will not accept it.”

Mr. Igbikarima, 60 was determined to stay put; “It is a disgrace that Amaechi is a lawyer and he is doing all this, and going against the law, Amaechi is putting his hand into fire.”

UN HABITAT, Amnesty International, local NGO's and residents groups as well as some judges in Port Harcourt have declared the actions of the Rivers State Government in convention of local and international laws.

>> Read the UN HABITAT Report on the legality of the demolitions

>> Read the first hand report from SERAC on the demolition of Njemanze Waterfront

>> Read the Abonnema Wharf community house owners association's suggested alternatives to the demolitions