By Dominion Okechukwu
People of Ozziza community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have embarked on a peaceful protest to express disapproval over the removal of a pontoon boat from their community.
The youths of the community on Tuesday, called on the Federal Government, Governor Francis Nwifuru, and the House of Assembly Members, to come to their aid.
THE VOICE gathered that this pontoon has been a means of transportation given to this tiny community surrounded by beaches by the then millitary administrator, over 40 years ago and has since been in the community, tho unfunctional, until in 2022 the former Governor, David Umahi sold the pontoon and plans have been made to remove it.
The community have resisted the plan even in the presence of the military that was always drafted by the government to ensure safety in the removal of the pontoon ferry from the Ozziza beach
This caused unrest in the area the people urging the state government to build a bridge on the beach in the community to connect their neighbouring Cross River and Akwa Ibom State if it decides to take away the pontoon at Ozizza Beach.
The youths who watched as the evacuators arrived at the beach in the morning, though, angry decided not to be violent, but carried a peaceful protest to express their anger.
They marched through major streets, in Afikpo, carrying placards with different inscriptions, such as “Ben Ezeoma stop intimidating us with soldiers, “Ozizza is not at war with anybody”.
“Please leave us alone”, “You have denied us electricity for eight years and now you want to deprive us of our only means of transportation”. We say no to this”, “please leave our pontoon alone” among other inscriptions.
They urged the state government to build a bridge on the beach in the community to connect their neighbouring Cross River and Akwa Ibom State if it decides to take away the pontoon at Ozizza Beach.
President of Ozizza Development Union, Dan Ume and other stakeholders of the community were present to ensure peaceful protest.
