Emami: What Itsekiri Communities are suffering, is worse than COVID-19

The Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, says what Itsekiri communities are suffering as, “a result of abandoned and shoddy jobs by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, other government MDAs as well as multi-national oil and gas companies, is worse than the COVID-19 Pandemic”, warning that if the situation is not immediately addressed, Itsekiri coastline communities will be washed away by ocean surge.

Chief Emami, raised the alarm weekend at his country-home, Ajudaibo in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, when he played host to the leadership of Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC.

Our Senior Correspondent reports that INYC led by its President, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, embarked on inspection tour of all NDDC abandoned projects in Warri Kingdom, in order, “to expose the imbalances in the system”. 

While stating that the Ministry of Niger Delta and NDDC, “have never visited Itsekiri coastal communities to ascertain the level of devastation caused by ocean surge, especially within Ugborodo and Benin River axis”, Chief Emami commended President Muhammadu Buhari, “for funding NDDC adequately”, saying, “this is the first time since inception of NDDC that it is being funded by the Federal Government.”

He described the current happenings in NDDC board as a disaster, stressing that jobs executed by the commission such as canalization and dredging/sand filling were not paid for, while there is nothing on ground to show for contracts like jetties that were awarded.

According to him, NDDC is abandoning critical infrastructures within its purview, to engage in donations, thereby leaving oil producing communities with lack of basic amenities such as health centres and zero isolation centre, in preparation for possible outbreak of COVID 19.

The Warri Traditional Prime Minister, appealed to President Buhari, to prevail on the EFCC and IMC of NDDC to carry out investigation, with a view to unmasking those that had frustrated the operations of NDDC in the past.

The INYC President, Comrade Agbateyiniro, earlier noted that Itsekiri people were suffering due to, “the menace of NDDC in Delta State”, adding that before the Coronavirus lockdown, INYC received several petitions from various Itsekiri communities in Warri South, Warri North and Warri South -West Local Government Areas, “in connection with reckless abandonment of projects in their towns by NDDC”.

Comrade Agbateyiniro Weyinmi, addressing newsmen during the tour

He pointed out that despite, “Itsekiri being the second largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria, we are being marginalized by Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission as well as the International Oil Companies operating in our areas”.

He commended Chief Ayirimi Emami for playing, “fatherly role in dousing tension in all Itsekiri Communities, making the youths not to take laws into their hands, due to the lack of attention given to Warri Communities by NDDC and other interventionist organizations”.

Fresh Angle International can report that the abandoned projects visited by the INYC leadership included the shore protection at Ode-Ugborodo, urging NDDC to as a matter of urgency award shore protection projects for Ijaghalla, Madangho, Ajudaibo, Ogidigben, Ode-Ugborodo as well as other Itsekiri riverine communities.

Akpakpa-Ajudaibo, one of Ugborodo communities in Warri South-West, being washed away by ocean surge

The INYC projects’ inspection team also visited the Udo, Ajamita, Gbokoda Road in Warri North abandoned by the NDDC. The road connects other towns in the area.

Abandoned Technical College at Gbokoda in Warri North LGA      

Investigations revealed that some of the notable projects executed by the NDDC, including ongoing ones that have not been paid for, are classroom blocks, civic centre, Aru-Uton- Ebrohimi and Obagoro Road, Aghalokpe Ajaguoyibo, Shore Protection at Ugborodo, Omadino-Okerenkoko Road as well as reclamation of Akpakpa Ajudaibo lot 1-2 and land reclamation at Ugboh, in Warri South, Warri North, Warri South-West and Okpe Local Government Areas, all in Delta state.

Abandoned Skills’ acquisition centre in Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South LGA

Roads linking Olero communities and internal roads in Ode-Itsekiri, were projects visited by the Itsekiri apex youth delegation.

The Eregwa of Warri Kingdom, Chief Mercy Olowu, National Youth Chairman of Ugborodo Community, Comrade Obibi Wilson Ejeh, National Vice Chairman, Ugborodo Community, Victor Udonju, Secretary of Ogidigben Community, Apostle Johnbull Ojogbo, Benson Omatsuli; Sapele Branch Chairman of Udo Community, Ajamita Community; Victor Okotie, Youth Leader from Bateren Community, Atete Eden and Nicho Edon; Youth Secretary at Ode-Itsekiri, were among those that spoke to Our Senior Correspondent.

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