“I Am Trapped in My Palace” — Traditional Ruler Laments Years of Neglect
By Patrick Ochei
The traditional ruler of Ebu Kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Onu Odilile Paul Opili, has raised a passionate alarm over the worsening erosion crisis and the prolonged abandonment of a critical road project linking his palace and key public institutions within the community.
The visibly disturbed monarch described the situation as a humanitarian and infrastructural disaster, lamenting that the abandoned road project has left the palace virtually inaccessible and exposed residents to untold hardship.
The royal father disclosed that the road project, reportedly awarded during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has remained abandoned for more than three years despite the increasing devastation caused by erosion in the area.
According to him, the deteriorating condition of the road has severely restricted movement into the palace and disrupted normal social and economic activities within the kingdom.
“I am practically trapped inside my palace. Movement has become extremely difficult, and visitors can no longer access the palace because the road has been completely devastated by erosion,” the monarch lamented.
He appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently rescue the community by directing the contractor handling the project back to site or revoking and re-awarding the contract to a more competent company capable of completing the work.
The monarch expressed disappointment that despite Ebu Kingdom’s consistent support for successive governments and its peaceful disposition, the community has continued to suffer what he described as prolonged neglect and abandonment.
“We have always fulfilled our democratic responsibilities by supporting the government and maintaining peace in our kingdom, yet our community continues to suffer neglect. Sadly, we no longer have anyone in government speaking on our behalf after the death of Shimite Bello,” he stated.
The royal father further warned that the unchecked erosion menace is gradually cutting off the community from other parts of the state as several roads continue to collapse under the pressure of flooding and environmental degradation.
“Erosion is destroying the roads we have managed over the years and gradually isolating our community from the rest of the state.
“Even the federal road connecting this axis to Abuja has become badly damaged due to the activities of heavy-duty trucks, thereby endangering lives and property,” he added.
The monarch noted that the abandoned Ilo–Ebu Grammar School Road, which also serves the palace, Ebu Grammar School, and the community health centre, has become a major source of concern for residents due to its worsening condition.
Investigations revealed that the project was awarded to Technology Partners International Nigeria Limited.
Findings also showed that sections of the drainage pavement already constructed along the route are collapsing due to erosion, raising fears about the structural integrity of the project.
It was further gathered that the fence of Ubueni Primary School, reportedly demolished to create an alternative access route during construction activities, has yet to be rebuilt, thereby exposing pupils, teachers, and school facilities to security threats and environmental hazards.
