Egbema Community cries out over marginalization

By Elijah Adeyemi-Benin

The people of Egbema Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have cried out over what they termed gross marginalization by Delta state government under the current administration lead by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, NDDC and DESOPADEC.

The people of the community said the State government has since neglected them in the area of commissioner’s slot, other meaningful appointments and meaningful projects in the state, saying the community has not felt the impact of the Okowa led administration over the years.

In a statement by Prominent Leaders of the Kingdom, notably Comrade Marvis T. Ofiyai (a.k.a) Speaker, as well as Prince Pumos B A Tiemo (a.k.a) National,  which was made  available to Factual on Monday, the people of the community lamented that they have long been neglected, relegated and denied of any meaningful project, a development that has denied the community and meaningful development.

The statement reads in parts: “during the first tenure campaign of his Excellency, Governor Okowa, the people of Egbema contributed 100% to his victory, likewise his second tenure; yet there is no single dividend of democracy from his Excellency up till date, not even from DESOPADEC”.

“Even with the contributions of Egbema stake-holding in OPUEKEBA platform, OLERO Platform, DIBI platform, OPUAMA flow station, SARA Energy Nig ltd as well as  Conoil Nig Ltd towards the increase of revenue in the state and the Nation at large, no single appointment has been given to any indigene of our community in government house, Desopadec, NDDC, e.t.c. The people of Egbema are currently shedding tears profusely over the long victimization, neglect and marginalization”.

As the local government election in the state is approaching, the statement stated that many members of the community are willing to commit suicide if the community is denied the local government chairman seat slot again, after the people of the community have been denied the seat for over two decade.

The Prominent Leaders of the Kingdom, notably Comrade Marvis T. Ofiyai (a.k.a) Speaker, as well as Prince Pumos B A Tiemo (a.k.a) are calling on Delta State governor- Okowa, the Federal Government and other international observers to come to the rescue of the community by executing laudable projects such as good roads, electricity, health facility, mass transit, housing and Education, especially Polytechnic that will enhance the development of the community.

They also urged urge the state and federal government to consider people from the community for appointment in the state government, DESOPADEC and NDDC among others.

“Worst still is the fact that since the creation of NDDC with its statutory allocations, not even a single project has been allocated to Egbema Community from NDDC or DESOPADEC. If these abnormalities are not immediately corrected, the people of Egbema will have no option than to go on demonstration on the oppression for the world to see and also request for the stoppage of budget allocated to DESOPADEC and NDDC”, the statement said.