A Human Rights Group, the Rivers Coalition for Human Rights (RCHR), has petitioned the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, GSSRS, over the “Willfull and Malicious destruction of Playing ground and degradation of the Environment at Community Primary school, Nkpor, Obio Akpo LGA by Xando De Manchesto Nig.ltd, a Contractor for SAIPEM NIG. LTD”.
The Rights Group in the petition signed by Derefaka Green (Coordinator), Ndamzhi Amadi (Asst Secretary), Hannah Nikade (Program/Research Officer), and made available to the media in Port Harcourt, disclosed that “as part of it’s Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards it’s host community, SAIPEM NIGERIA LIMITED contracted Xando De Manchesto Nig. LTD to construct an Eight Room Classroom block at Community Primary School, Nkpor, Obio Akpo LGA. This ordinarily noble gesture has however turned into a Greek gift, as the way and manner the contractor Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd has gone about executing the contract has left the community in anguish”.
The human rights group noted that “FIRST, The Contractor, Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd, under the supervision of Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah, despite concerns raised by the community, laid waste to the scenic beauty of the school environment by hacking down the trees that provide shade for both the pupils of the school and community members. These trees Also provided nesting grounds for various birds, and attracted nature lovers and bird watchers to the area. Even with the global awareness on Climate Change, and the important role trees play in protecting our environment, SAIPEM’s contractor, Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah, still went ahead to hack down the trees”.
The group further revealed that, “The SAIPEM Contractor, Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd, under the supervision of Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah, went ahead to destroy the playing field at Community Primary school, Nkpor, Obio Akpo LGA. The importance of this playing field may not be underscored by the fact that it is used as a playing pitch by Noble Minds All Stats of Port Harcourt. The playing field serves as a community resource center in several ways. Joggers, leisure walkers, and picnickers use the playing field on a daily basis. Other recreational activities like weddings, child dedications, burials etc are hosted in the destroyed playing field”.
According to the group, “The irony is that Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd, could have executed the contract without the destruction of the pitch, but Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah, choose out of malice to destroy the playing field”.
The Rivers Coalition for Human Rights therefore called on Sir Siminilayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers state, to use his good offices to ensure the following:
1. Direct SAIPEM NIG LTD, and it’s contractor, Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd, and Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah, to as a matter of urgency, restore the playing field at Community Primary School, Nkpor, Obio Akpor LGA to its original state, as the contract could have been executed without the destruction they visited on the environment and the playing field, at Community Primary School, Nkpor.
2. Direct the State Ministry of Education and the Primary School Management Board to visit Community Primary School, Nkpor, to ascertain the state of things and going forward monitor the activities of Xando De Manchesto Nig. Ltd, and Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah in the school.
3. Take any other action that will ensure the protection of the right of the people of Nkpor Community, to the use of the playing field and the serene natural environment of Community Primary School, Nkpor.
When our investigating team visited the area, the Team Manager of Noble minds All stars of Port Harcourt, Mr. Bethel Chibulanotu Wawusor lamented the actions of Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah on the destruction of the football pitch where the club regularly trains.
Mr Bethel who is also the secretary of Rumuolumeni All Stars said that Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah who was awarded with a contract through his company to erect more class rooms at Nkpor Community primary school, used the job to destroy a whole segment of the field. He described the action of Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah as not only malicious, but an act against the environment and nature.
Mr. Bethel noted that sporting activities is a unifying factor that uplifts humanity and engages the youths body and soul, thereby keeping them from indulging in negative tendencies. He regretted that rather than promoting and encouraging the young stars, Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah choose to destroy their football pitch, where talents are trained and developed.
He used the opportunity to advise Chief Alexander Nzenye Elijah to change his mindset and lifestyle and embrace the current trend of the society, adding that All Stars of Port Harcourt has bought sporting facilities which have been put in place to promote sporting activities in the area.