Mother & Child Hospital: Rumuomasi women protest against marginalization
Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt
Ahead of the proposed commissioning of the Mother & Child Hospital in Port Harcourt,a group of women who identified themselves as Rumuomasi Women have protested what they termed as marginalization of their community as host to the hospital project.
Speaking to journalists at the venue of the protest,the Women Leader of Rumuezeolu,Lolo Charity Amadi said the community has been marginalized in the area of employment and non-recognition as host host community.
“We are happy with the project,but Rumuomasi should be added to the name as the community hosting the Mother & Child Hospital instead of Port Harcourt as it is. Most of us are widows,we need money to cater for ourselves,so we need employment for be our children,”Charity Amadi said.
The protesters were seen carrying placards of different inscriptions,while the protest lasted.
Reacting to the incident,the Paramount Ruler of Rumuezeolu Community, Rumuomasi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State,Eze(Dr) Raymond Chinda said the protesters were either misinformed or insigated by some elements in the community who are agrieved for reasons best known to them.
The Royal Father said what the women were protesting for has already been presented to the governor and is receiving adequate attention.
“The women were either misinformed or they were instigated by some elements in the community who are not happy with the government and may want to use the incident to gain recognition. We are grateful to His Excellency,Chief Barr Nyesom Wike for siting the project on our land.That signboard is covered because the name of the community (Rumuomasi) is not reflected on it and shall remain like that until the correction is effected.
“I think instead of trying to embarrass the governor,we should rather commend him for wrestling our land from Nigerian Airforce to build the hospital,” Eze Chinda said.
The Paramount Ruler further explained that three communities own that land housing the Nigerian Airforce base, namely Rumuezeolu, Rumuoluku and Rumuahere, have not agreed on a single name, hence the governor used Port Harcourt, which to him is fair.
He chided the women for embarking on protest without the support of men, especially traditional rulers.
On his final message, Eze Chinda said women should learn to consult elders before embarking on such action and should stop embarrassing the governor for no reason.
