The Ijaw community of Gelegele in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo state has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to revisit the Udo-Ufunoma-Enikura-Gwilebu road project abandoned over 11 years ago.
The community said no fewer than 100 communities have been cut off due to the non-completion of the road.
They decried the neglect of the oil producing communities by the interventionist agency, particularly Gelegele from it several projects.
Chairman, Gelegele Executive Council, Mr Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, stated to newsmen in Benin City, the Edo State capital during the weekend.
Olu-Derimon described as most regrettable, that the communities that lay the “golden egg” were being neglected in favour of those without crude oil.
He stressed that such neglect by the NDDC of his community has almost destroyed the motives behind the establishment of the interventionist agency.
Olu-Derimon, however, commended the present board of the NDDC for taking the right step to correct these abnormally.
“I think the NDDC has not actually met its major target, its major aim of developing, or in the overall development of the Niger Delta or of the South-South states because if you compare the amount of money that have come into this region via NDDC, I think the gap is just too wide.
“But from what I see from the current administration of the NDDC,
there is a kind of difference. I think, we can see a kind of step up from what we’ve seen before.
“We can see a focus in the NDDC. But the area where I really want to bear my mind in the present NDDC, is for them to bring development down to the oil producing communities, not just the states, the communities, not just the local government, the communities,” he stressed.
He attributed the restiveness in the Niger Delta region to the abandonment of the oil producing communities, stressing, “that is exactly what is happening to our community, Gelegele community.
“As we speak, we don’t have the direct impact of NDDC in our community, but you will find same in abundance in areas that do not have direct bearing with the agency.”
On the abandoned road project, Olu-Derimon said, “Udo-Ufunoma-Enikura-Gwilebu Road has been abandoned since 2015-2014 by the NDDC.
“That road is a gateway to the riverine communities from Ovia to West, and over 100 communities have been impacted negatively with its non-completion.
“The people of these communities go through harrowing experience during raining season and we appeal to the NDDC and the state government to see to its completion.”
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