SERAC Examines State–Sponsored Internal Displacements in Port Harcourt

Port-Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state and its immediate environs continue to witness demolitions of shops, kiosks, businesses and the forceful removal of persons from squatter settlements and their homes attributed directly to government actions. Since its formation, it has progressively attained the position of Nigeria’s second most important port and hub of the oil industry. Consequently, it has witnessed high influx of people from all walks of life, bringing with it, the problem of rapid and unchecked development especially in the area of housing.

Efforts by successive Rivers State government to increase the housing stock have been abysmal. However, since May 29, 1999 especially under Governor Odili's administration, about 6,000 houses were constructed in the 23 local governments of the state. Comparatively, this effort is perceived as laudable and earned his government several awards for initiating a seeming spectacular housing policy. Even so, these attempts at expanding the people’s access to adequate housing have been overshadowed by the government’s horrendous record of violating the right to adequate housing through its practice of forced eviction without adequate notice, consultations or provisions for legal or administrative remedies.

Long before Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in May 1999, the then Military government of Rivers state was responsible for the demolitions and evictions of several Ogoni villages because of the environmental rights campaign orchestrated by the late Ken Saro-Wiwa under the aegis of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP). Despite the advent of democratic government in 1999, close to a million people were in July 2000 forcibly evicted from Rainbow town without consultation, adequate notice, compensation, resettlement or rehabilitation. The evictions were ostensibly, carried out on the orders of the immediate past Governor, Dr.Peter Odili.

Under its Project to Operationalize the Right to Adequate Housing, SERAC visited Port-Harcourt and hinterland areas between May-June 2006, to specifically research, investigate and document the steps (if any) being taken by the Rivers State government to implement its obligations to promote, protect, fulfil and realize the right to adequate housing. The research findings revealed that the practice of forced eviction is a common occurrence in the area. This is exemplified by the demolition of Eagle Island, Port-Harcourt in March 2005 by the State’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. No fewer than 3,000 permanent and makeshift houses were demolished with close to 10,000 families rendered homeless by the evictions. In addition over 5,000 civilian residents of the expansive barracks of the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Army popularly called Bori Camp were evicted from their homes in May 2006, following the expiration of an 8-day ultimatum issued by the military authority.

In most cases, the evictions were neither authorized by law nor undertaken for the purpose of promoting the general welfare of the people. Besides, the manner in which these evictions were carried out negates the provisions of the United Nations basic principles and guidelines on development-based evictions and displacement and other international human rights laws. The recourse to evictions and demolitions as a policy to arrest the distortions and encroachments on urban development has instead, exacerbated poverty and has worsened living conditions of many residents who have lost their homes, businesses and means of livelihood.