By: Felix Ikpotor
Scores of people from Kaani in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have staged a protest over what they termed illegal dredging activities going on in their land.
The protesters who marched through the streets of Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni to the council secretariat in the area, questioned the embarking on the project without proper consultation and agreement reached with the people.
One of the protesters, Goodluck Ndornu said if the dredging is allowed it would lead to flooding in their community.
“If the dredging is allowed the community would be flooded during the rains. There was no environmental impact assessment carried out in the area, all they are doing is to go ahead with the sand miming on the river,” he said.
Addressing the protesters, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, CTC, of Khana Local Government Area, Gbara Erelo said the government did not sanction any dredging activity on the river, adding that the state government would not embark on any project that can cause harm to the people.
He maintained that government had already told the dredging company to discontinue with the activity until agreement is reached with the people.
