Marginalization: Opuama, Tsekelewu-Polobubo Communities In Warri North Cries Out For Help, Appeals To Governor Okowa To Provide Pipe borne Water, Hospital, Market, Teachers, Transportation, Others
Francis Tayor
Warri______ The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Delta State Government on Security, distinguished Comrade Daniel Pere Ezekiel has charged Chevron and other oil multinationals operating in Egbema Kingdom and environs to help government of the state to build peace in Warri North, so as to fast track development in the area.
The SSA further urges Egbema youths to remain peaceful and ensure that they channel their grievances and needs to the governor through lawful means, stressing that development can not strive in an atmosphere of chaos.
The Senior Special Assistant made the statement yesterday 28th August, 2019 at Opuama, Sekelewu-Polobubo Communities in a Town Hall meeting to say thank you for their support to the Delta State government, stressing that His Excellency, Senator Dr.lfeanyi Okowa is committed to the development, peace and security of lives and property in the state.
In his words, Comrade Ezekiel said;" I have come here to say thank you for your support in my life. I come to familiarise with you that your son is now the Senior Special Assistant SSA, to the governor of Delta State on Security. l succeeded because you stood firmly behind me. I still need your prayers, motivation and cooperation to succeed in my new assignment."
" l want us to work in synergy. My boss governor Okowa is committed to the development of Egbema Kingdom. I want you people to maintain the existing peace and constructively approach the state government of your needs and challenges. Until you bring your problem forward, His Excellency may not be aware of it.
I promise you of further engagements of this kind as we progress, but we must be united and peaceful to achieve our collective goals. The issues of Chevron Well fire which polluted our waters, lands and air of host and impacted communities should be handled with all seriousness. Oil companies that don't want to cooperate with you people, Delta State government will prevail on them to ensure total compliance and to do the needful. Once again, l thank you for your support of the Delta State government and understanding, Comrade Ezekiel stated."
In their responses, speaking on behalf of the Communities, Mr.Toru Dick welcome the visiting SSA and his team to Opuama. He said; " our saviour has come and we need to support him to succeed in his new assignment. We thank Hon Alhaji Omoko who build the community Town Hall for us. Now you are been appointed as SSA, we pray you use your good office to attract development to our community and engage our youths meaningfully. We lack portable drinking water. Our youths, women, children and elders needs empowerment, he stated."
Also speaking, the eldest man of Opuama Town, Chief Lobo Julius thank the SSA for the visit. " The major problem we are facing here is unavailability of portable drinking water. We have clinic here but there is no Doctor and Nurses to attend to our sick people. We also don't have network to talk on phone. Help us with mtn or glo network my son. l am an elderly man, tell the government to take care of me because l can't go to fish neither to work at my age. The Opuama people are very happy for your appointment. Help us to attract development to the community, Pa Lobo stated."
Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs.Caroline Moses congratulates the SSA for his appointment. She appealed to the Delta State government to bring market to Opuama Community. " We also need women empowerment programs. Our women are tired of cutting fire woods, help us to bring Nurses to our clinic to treat our sick people. We need adult school to educate our people because we lack education, she stated."
Responding on behalf of the youths, Comrade Japheth Loboh thank the SSA for the visit. " We want Sand filling of our community because we are suffering of flood. Opuama is one of the ancient communities in Egbema Kingdom. We have Chevron and NPDC Shell working in our land, but yet nothing to show for it in our community. Help us to use your office to fight for us, he stated."
At polobubo-Sekelewu Community, Pa Pabuloubo Dabo, the Amakosuowei pray for the SSA good health and wisdom to serve his people well.
Speaking on behalf of the community, leader Morgan Oniyeburuta thank the SSA for coming to share their problems in order to profer solution. He said;" our community is seriously facing flood problem. The recent Chevron Well head fire incident infected a lot of sickness to our people. We cannot fish, our people died of cholera as result of the fire incident. We called on governor Okowa to ask Chevron to pay us compensation for the damages caused by their well head. We need adequate scholarship for our students to study. We need empowerment of our youths and women. Help us to tell our governor to carnalized our shallow river.We need communication network help us, Mr.Morgan stressed."
In his reaction, the Egbema National Youth PRO, Comrade Governor Ekpokeme Stephen appeal to Governor Okowa to provide water transportation system to lessen the high rate of transport fare they suffer in the hands of private commercial transporters in the riverine areas.
While Mr.Gabriel appeals to governor Okowa to provide adequate health care centre for Sekelewu community.
However, the SSA appreciated his people for the warm reception and assure them to table their problems before the governor. " l believe our governor Okowa is a listening man and he will not disappoint them. " I know what my people are suffering. It was as result of my advocacy of our problems that led to my imprisonment.
My fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, l have heard all you have said. Between now and Monday next week, l will present this issues to the governor my boss. He will squarely address them one after the other. I charged us to be peaceful so that our governor can bring development to our communities. Call me at any point in time, l will respond to you. Once again, l thank you for opening your heart to welcome me and my team, thank you my people, the statement adds.'
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