ONLEGA Community in Rivers State Kick Starts Hardship Protest

In a bold move to address the challenges faced by the community, the ONLEGA Community in Rivers State has initiated a hardship protest. The protest aims to draw attention to the economic hardships and lack of basic amenities faced by the residents of the community.

A Call for Action

The protest, which commenced on July 29, 2024, saw community members gather at various locations within the state to voice their grievances. Dressed in black attire, the demonstrators carried placards with powerful messages such as “What is our offence?”, “Over Seven Years of No NEPA Light,” “No single access to mobile network,” and “No good access roads within Ipo community.”

The protesters effectively blocked the Roundabout gate leading into the Port Harcourt International Airport, causing a significant halt to airport activities. The demonstration lasted until around 8 am, after which airport operations resumed.

Community Leaders Respond

In response to the protest, the chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Sergeant Awuse, engaged with the protesters and promised immediate attention to their grievances. Awuse assured the community that he would personally accompany the airport management team to Ipo community to oversee the improvements and development efforts needed.

Support from Other Communities

The ONLEGA Community’s hardship protest has garnered support from other communities within Rivers State. Members of Degema community, the headquarters of the Degema Local Government Area, have also staged a protest at the Government House in Port Harcourt, demanding an investigation into the alleged killing of their indigenes and the prosecution of the perpetrators.

International Attention

The hardship protest has also caught the attention of the international community. The United Kingdom, United States, and Canada have issued security alerts to their citizens in Nigeria, warning of potential violence during the planned #EndBadGovernance protest on August 1, 2024.

Moving Forward

As the ONLEGA Community continues its hardship protest, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands. The community hopes that their demonstration will bring about the much-needed change and improve the lives of its residents.