Indigenes of over 50 oil rich coastal communities in Ndokwa East local council of Delta State temporarily disrupted activities at the state Government House Asaba during a peaceful protest over deplorable road conditions.
The protesters lamented that lack of access roads have stalled social-economic development of the area.
Hundreds of protesters mainly elderly men, women, and youths marched on major streets in the state capital singing solidarity songs while expressing their anger over nonexistent access roads in the entire local government area.
The protesters blocked the main entrance into Government House, and adjoining streets for over four hours, forcing visitors to seek alternative routes.
The protesters held aloft placards with various inscription such as “We Need Roads in Onicha-Utchi,” “We Need Roads from Ibedeni to Asaba- Ase,” “Why Have We Been Abandoned and Neglected”, “Ekwueme! Save our Coastal Communities”.
They condemned the Okowa administration for what they termed “criminal neglect of roads in the area.”
Spokesman of the protesters, Frank Nwakwude, said the lack of access roads has caused untold hardship on indigenes of the area who are mainly farmers and fishermen.
Nwakwude lamented that despite hosting several marginal oil fields and one of the largest gas fields in the nation, the entire region lacks access roads, hospitals and schools and other infrastructure.
He said the reality of nonexistent roads in Ndokwa East contradicted the “roadmaster” tag given to Gov Ifeanyi Okowa for his acclaimed strides in infrastructure.
He accused politicians from Ndokwa axis of ineffective representation, describing them as the “weak links in enforcing the indigenous rights of its people and its communities.”
Secretary to State Government Patrick Ukah commended the peaceful protest, telling the protesters that a meeting would be scheduled with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for them to air their grievances.
Credit-Nation
