The people of Die-Ama Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state have given a one month ultimatum to Federal and Bayelsa state governments to include them in the Memorandum of Understanding in executing the ongoing Nembe/Brass road.
According to the community, they are the most impacted among other communities in the area since the project started.
Speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa, His Royal Highness Baratuaipre Eketei Amaene Ikaba XI the Amanayanabo of Die-Ama Community said,from Western side of Saint Nicholas Rivers to the other side of the bush, “We are the most impacted, the whole mangrove areas falls within our side.
“Now a road construction is being undertaken by the state and federal governments, the road from Nembe to Brass is taking place.We are not consulted, dredging is going on in our creeks and rivers. We are now appealing to the federal and state governments to tell the construction company to take us along so that we can also enjoy the privileges other communities are enjoying.
“Since we are the most impacted community, if federal and state governments fail to address our issues, we will stop the work after this one month’s notice. We are also writing to the State House of Assembly to intervene in the matter and we are going to copy the office of the Deputy Governor for them to be aware of our plights”.
HRH Baratuaipre Eketei Amaene alleged that Okpoama community is using one Mr Ungo Timipre, Surveyor Ekele supported by Chief Timipre Sylva and the resigned Okpoama king Ebitimi Banigo “using him to terrorise us everyday and night using his cult boys to invade us, even now they are still using those boys to terrorise our community not wanting us to come near the construction site of the company working on the Nembe/Brass road.
“So, we are in fear, that is why we are calling on the state and federal governments to come to our rescue by telling the company to recognize us as most impacted community in the Nembe/Brass road project
Speaking further the monarch said that the problem of the community are too many to enumerate, saying most especially the false claims of “our neighbor Okpoama community by laying false claims on Die-Ama Community and its territory which has taken much litigations starting from 1948 to 1986 where we got judgement at the court of Appeal Enugu
“Despite the judgement, they are still forcing themselves on us by laying false claims and invading us at will. Die-Ama Community has been a long established community but today is like a fishing port. Up till now they are still invading us. We have reported the matter to the Deputy Governor and up till now nothing is being done .
“Okpoama community is always invading Die-Ama Community at will. In 1947 they burnt down the community, till today they are still doing it despite the judgement of the Appeal Court.
“The initial report was sent to the office of the Deputy Governor, no impact has been felt. It was on the 26th of September when they held meeting with communities delegations and that day was another day of the invasion and the Deputy Governor heard about it and ordered the commissioner of police to take action but up till now no action has been taken
“We want the federal and state governments to give us peace, we want peace .The plan drawn between Die-Ama and Okpoama on one side and Die-Ama and Odioma in 1921 should be maintained because the plan is still in existence, I have it in my hand, they have their portion, we have our own portion since 1921.
“We are making this known to the general public and the world in general that Die-Ama Community is an autonomous community under the Nembe kingdom under the Mingi of Nembe. We are not under Okpoama and we have a recognized king in person of HRH. Baratuaipre Eketei Amaene Ikaba XI Amanayanabo of Die-Ama Community”.
Bayelsa community Die-Ama lament impact of Nembe-Brass Rd, seeks inclusion in MoU, give one month ultimatum
