Agip Waterfront Demolition: Victims Demand Compensation, 10 Years After

National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Thousands of persons displaced by the 2004/2005 Agip/UST waterfront demolition have appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to organise public inquiry into their plight.
The displaced persons, who protested at the South-South Zonal Office of the Commission in Port Harcourt, also demanded compensation for their property destroyed by the Rivers State Government.
A petition tilled, “Appeal for NHRC to return to Port Harcourt for continuation of Hearing on forced eviction and demolition of Agip/UST Waterfront,” sent to the Chairman of the Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, alleged that over 30,000 persons and 842 structures were affected by the demolition exercise.
According to the petition signed by the leader of the protesters, Edwin Lenyie, a copy of which was made available to The Tide, they alleged that the demolition was carried out without notice, adding that 10 years after, the government has not thought it wise to compensate them.
They also alleged that several letters have been written to the state government on the issue, but all to no avail.
“The reason for our protest to the NHRC today is because in March, 2014, we petitioned the Rivers State Government, first to the NHRC and since that time, we are still waiting for justice, and the NHRC to come and hear our matter on forced eviction in Port Harcourt in the interest of Justice”, they stated.
They also urged the present administration in the state to look into the matter with a view to compensating the displaced persons.
Responding, the Chief Research Officer of the South-South Zone of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs Perpetua Okara, thanked the protesters for their peaceful disposition.
Okara, who represented the Commission’s Zonal Co-ordinator, assured that, the Commission will look into their matter with a view to taking appropriate action.