Bonny Road: Andoni Plans Mega Protests Against Berger Plc

The people of Asarama Community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State says they have concluded plans to shut down the construction company ( Julius Berger Plc) handling Bodo – Bonny Federal Road project over what they described as provocative conspiracies and sabotage against the interests of the community.
The community made this known in a press statement signed by the Chairman of Asarama Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Macmoses E. Isaiah Jawaireakong and six other community leaders at a press conference in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the federal road project has greatly devastated the environment as well as their sources of livelihood and economy of the people of Asarama’s villages along Asaramatoru in Andoni LGA.
The statement said the road project occupied 13 kilometers land out of 25 kilometers of the Bodo – Bonny road transversing Asarama territory in Andoni, yet the name of the project does not suggest that it has any connection whatsoever with Asarama or Andoni, stating that the action of the company and its masters was a calculated attempts to provoke the people into crisis.
The statement said “ even though the bridge on the said Bodo Bonny road is located in Asaramatoru in Asarama district of Andoni LGA, yet our people are never considered for any employment, empowerment or social corporate responsibilities.
“Even other sub contractors working for Julius Berger Plc on the road project like Dredging International Ltd now toe the same line of provoking Asarama people by attempting to subsume Asarama Community, a founding community in Andoni by secretly signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) without the community’s consent, this is so appalling to say the least; why would anyone want to foment trouble where none exists?
“ Let it be on record that Julius Berger has crossed the red line with its actions against us.”
The people of Asarama Community in the statement demanded for adequate compensation as it was paid to other communities in Ogoni and Bonny as Asarama Community is directly and negatively impacted by the project.
The people also demanded the company to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as it was done with other communities involved.
The community further seeks for the position of Community Liaison Officer CLO and employment opportunities to some citizens of the communities concerned.
The statement urged the construction company and the sub- contractors to desist from doing anything that is capable of instigating avoidable crises in Asarama district with the neighbours.

By: Enoch Epelle