Over 35 abandoned communities in Ndokwa east local government area of Delta State, have vowed to mobilize their indigenes against the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration over poor road networks if their demand is swept under the carpet.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday August 31st 2021, the convener, Comrade Nwakwude Frank, who led over 100 indigenes to barricade Government House gate on Anwai Road, Asaba, accused their representatives of conniving with the government of the day to marginalize them.
“Our representative are not there for our interest. They only come to our villages during election periods and after election, they will leave us. When they are coming, they come with fake promises. I will call empty cup promises.
“We are more than this but today, we received intelligent report that some political leaders in our local governments out a call across to all the chairmen and President General in our communities not to send their men here, that is why you see these few numbers. I am sure they are giving them something.
“But I promise you, next time, if our demand is not meant, we are still going to come back here in our numbers and we don’t mind mobilizing more thy 10, 000 indigenes to fill this government house so that the government of Delta State will know that we are serious.
“When people call him Roadmaster and we are saying he is not, it is not a contradiction because our people do not belong to those he has given road network. The only way we will join the people to call him that name, is when we have access road network because if we have road network and he is really the Roadmaster that people use to call him, we will not be here and our communities would been developed by now.
“The population of Ndokwa nation is very large, and we contribute a very large stake to the government. In the next coming election, if our communities are not given road network in Ndokwa east, we are not going to vote for them. In fact, myself and some leaders will go from community to community, house to house to tell the people not to vote for PDP or any government that will not give us road network”.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated 31st August 2021, addressed to the State governor, by Nwakwude Frank, for the affected Ndokwa East Local Government Area Communities, frown over the long decades of inaccessible road condition suffered by the aborigenes in the above listed communities.
“It is unarguably a fact that your alias, “Roadmaster” as coined by numerous fans favourites of your many exploits and renowned achievements is almost a household name chanted amongst many. While this may hold true, there is however a large disproportionate number who think that the above rendering is only but a make believe statement”.
While naming the communities to include Akarai etiti, Akarai Obodo, Umuti, Afinkwo, Iyiowu, Umuolu, Azagba, Adaia, Onya, Utuoku, Onogbokor, Lagos Iyese, Iyese Ame, Ewhokorafor, Okpokrika, ASE, Ekpe, Ibedeni, Ibrede, Ayamah, Oboma, Owerre, Obalu, Owerre Okumedo, Onitcha Utchi, Asaba Utchi, Umuochi, Obecha, Abala Obodo, Abala Uno, Abala Oshimili, Inyi, Onuaboh, Oworoubia and Warri Irri, the communities noted, “it’s attendant effects comes with unbearable agonies inflicted on the everyday life of its indigenes.
“Infrastructural development in any capacity has been brought to a full halt due to sheer neglect and effortless commitment towards this region by its government representatives. Considering the economic and political importance of NELGA, in influencing statewide political gubernatorial office stakes; being one of the largest oil producing regions in the state and federation at large, the lackluster commitment to its development specifically access roads network and social infrastructure in this region is a paradox to your fan-proclaimed alias and widely-acclaimed reputation”, the said.
But in his response, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, assured communities in Ndokwa East local government area of government’s readiness to partner with them particularly in road construction.
The State governor gave the assurance on Tuesday August 31st 2021, while addressing elderly men, women, youths, particularly community leaders and concerned indigenes who barricaded government house, demanding for accessible road network in over 30 abandoned communities.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, the governor told the aggrieved indigenes that his administration has already set up machinery to meet with them.
The SSG, who was flanked by the Chief of Staff, government house, Mr. Festus Agas and some government functionaries, assured the protesting youths that their advance letter has been received and that the government is making adequate preparations to meet with them geared towards addressing their challenges.
