By Ife Osemedua
The people of the oil-rich region of Ndokwa land in Delta state, have accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s government of excluding the area in the development plan of the state.
They are bewildered that Ndokwaland, which contributes huge oil revenue to the state, is inexplicably not included in the massive rural road construction and other infrastructure development ongoing in the state.
They made this protestation on Monday, February 1, 2021, through a group, League of Ndokwa Professionals, in a statement signed by its president, Chief (Engr.) Tony Amechi and publicity secretary, Barr. Evans Ufeli.
Ndokwa Land consists of three Local Government Areas: (Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwuani.
Why deserve better treatment:
According to the group, “Ndokwaland is part of Delta state with the second largest population and second largest oil producing area and as such we cannot be secluded from the construction of roads in the state without adequate provisions for our constituency.
“Ndokwa Land produces a huge mass of the oil and gas resources that contributes to the 13% Oil Derivation Fund accruing to the Delta state government every month from the federal government and as such, Ndokwa Land should not be discriminated against in the distribution and allocation of projects in the state.
“That it will amount to gross socio-economic injustice to leave Ndokwaland without any meaningful developmental project as this will amount to lack of inclusiveness in governance especially when the area contributes heavily to the revenue generation of the State.”
Our grouse:
The group pointed out that Ndokwa was conspicuously excluded from the newly approved construction of roads in Delta state spread across the regions of the state.
It also stated: “The recent Executive Bill of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the Delta State House of Assembly, to upgrade three higher Institutions of College of Education Agbor to a University of Education, Anwai Campus of the Delta State University, to Delta State University of Science and Agriculture, and the Ozoro Polytechnic, to Delta State University of Science and Technology with none situated in Ndokwa/Ukwaniland.”
Our Demands:
“That we hereby call on the state government to review the road construction projects with immediate effect and make the necessary adjustments and include roads in Ndokwaland in the projects to avoid protest, social unrest and/or legal action.
“That we hereby call on the Delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to send an additional bill to the Delta State House of Assembly to site a University with immediate effect in Ndokwaland among other things.
“That henceforth, the Federal and State Government should consider Ndokwaland in her policies and give her a pride of place, deserving of it in the scheme of things for the purposes of economic integration and social justice.
“That we urge the Federal and the Delta state governments to look into our demands and respond to this press release within the next fourteen (14) days, failing which we shall have no other option than to proceed against the state to seek legal redress.”