The people of Luebe community in Khana local government area of Rivers State has appealed to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to forget about acquiring their farmlands for the banana plantation proposed by the state government.
The state government has already completed the survey of about 300 hectare of land belonging to communities in Nyokhana Kingdom in Ogoniland for the plantation to be managed by an agro-based firm from Mexico.
In a letter addressed to Governor Amaechi, dated April 7, 2012, which was exclusively obtained by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the community told the governor that they were ready to defend their farmlands against any forceful acquisition.
The letter with the title; “Refusal to Acquisition of our fore-father’s inherited farmlands”, was signed by Agent Frank, head of Kabara village, Gbenenee Womsi, head of Koro village, Kaaka Biira, Lua village head, Chief Akarahor Agbari, secretary of the Council of Luebe Traditional Rulers and Jonah Frank, coordinator of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) in Nyokhana Kingdom.
It read in parts; “We, the chiefs, elders and opinion leaders of Luebe community write to say ‘capital no’ to your forceful acquisition of our fathers’ farmlands without any due respect to the God of Heaven that created the land.