By Austin Ogwuda
Obetim-Unor and Afor communities in Ndokwa East local government area of Delta State have cried out over ravaging flooding as well as herdsmen menace.
They are calling for urgent government intervention to amomeriorate their sufferings following the displacement of many farmers in the process.
They also enumerated lack of social infrastructure among other myriad of problems facing them despite the presence of two oil companies operating there.
The appeal was contained in an address presented to the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme during a courtesy visit in Asaba.
Spokesman of Obetim community, Chief Michael Anoki who read the address highlighted some challenges faced by Obetim community “to include lack of visible infrastructure such as roads, dilapidated schools, health care centre among others despite the presence of two oil companies operating in the community.
“We are appealing to the Deputy Governor to assist the community to produce a Chairman for Ndokwa East Council and to have a ward to enable the community to produce a Councillor being the area with the highest units voting population.
“We are also seeking government intervention for the provision of flood control measures and relief materials to farmers whose farmlands were over run by herdsmen among others”.
Responding, the State Deputy Governor, Onyeme decried the high level of neglect by oil companies in discharge of their corporate social responsibility to their host communities with special reference to oil companies operating in Ndokwa nation.
He noted that most communities in Ndokwa nation like other oil bearing communities in the State had similar challenges of lack of basic social amenities such as motorable roads, pipe borne water, primary health care centres among others despite the presence of oil companies operating in their areas.
He frowned that the oil companies operating in Ndokwa nation were not living up to expectations despite the peaceful disposition of the people seemed to be taken for granted.
Sir Onyeme however assured the people of Obetim community that the Oborevwori administration will reverse the trend of underdevelopment in the Ndokwa land and other communities as it is determined to implement the MORE Agenda in all parts of the state.
He promised that the state government would look into the requests.
