By JOHNSON EBIGIDE
Legal practitioner and policy analyst, Eugene Azuka Uzum, has strongly criticized the continued neglect of Uromi Junction in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, attributing it to persistent political leadership failure in Ika Nation.
Speaking to journalists in Agbor, Uzum described Uromi Junction as a crucial transportation hub connecting various parts of the country, yet successive administrations have failed to develop the area, leaving it in a state of neglect.
He questioned why political leaders from Ika, who have held influential positions, have failed to shift the paradigm from frustration to meaningful development.
Uzum acknowledged that while the Okowa administration faced financial challenges at its inception, leading to only palliative interventions at the junction instead of a much-needed flyover, the situation under the Oborevwori administration is different.
He argued that with improved state revenue and key political figures from Ika holding strategic positions, Uromi Junction deserves top priority in Delta State’s development agenda.
He expressed disappointment that the Delta State Government recently rolled out ₦275 billion worth of projects without including Uromi Junction, despite the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other key decision-makers hailing from Ika.
According to him, the SSG’s office, being the clearing house for state projects, should have ensured that Uromi Junction was included in the state’s policy direction.
Uzum did not hold back in berating Ika politicians within the Oborevwori administration, accusing them of either ineffectiveness or deliberate negligence in championing the development of Uromi Junction.
He insisted that their failure to push for strategic intervention in the area reflects a broader issue of political actors prioritizing personal interests over community development.
He called for urgent corrective measures, stressing that Uromi Junction’s revitalization is not just about local progress but also about fostering economic growth and national integration through improved infrastructure.
