Communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have demanded that Federal Government allocate two per cent of all oil and gas revenue earnings for the next 20 years to the communities to adequately address the deteriorating environmental challenges affecting the life and health of the people.
Ipigansi Okumo, Chairman, Ogbia Brotherhood Unity Branch Abuja & Northern Nigeria, made the demand on behalf of the Ogbia Kingdom, at the grand reception ceremony in honour of their Federal Legislators in the 10th National Assembly, and other Federal Government Appointees.
He highlighted the frustrations being faced by communities in Ogbia Kingdom, which include severe developmental and environmental challenges that threaten the ecosystem and communities, including flooding, erosion, oil pollution, gas flaring, water turbidity, etc, which have resulted in the loss of numerous lives and properties.
He said: “The current state of affairs in Ogbia Kingdom is unsavoury, and in dire need of improvement. Our communities lack essential amenities. There are no roads, no access to clean water, no electricity, no hospitals and no good schools. Our people’s aspirations for a better place within Nigeria are yet to be realized.
“Sadly, the numerous promises made by the Federal Government to Ogbia remain unfulfilled. Ogbia has been neglected, left to struggle in hardship and deprivation, despite our substantial contributions to the economic growth, peace, and stability of Nigeria.
“We can only address this challenging situation by uniting as a people and speaking with one voice. We are concerned that disunity within Ogbia will allow the government to continue extracting our resources to benefit other regions. Therefore, we propose a new agenda focused on peace and reconciliation.
“We need to embrace peace and work together for the collective welfare of our people. At the Unity Branch, we are committed to working with all stakeholders to establish a unifying vision that will consistently bring our people and communities together.
“This vision will strengthen our primary objective of serving as the central rallying point for all Ogbia citizens residing in Abuja and Northern Nigeria. Our mission is to unify the people of Ogbia Kingdom to achieve a socio-economic and political relevance in the Nigerian Federation.
“In pursuit of this noble goal, infrastructural, economic and human capacity development, dominates our thoughts and planning. We are also deeply concerned about the preservation of our culture and heritage, especially our language. We have developed a developmental agenda, but none of this will be achievable without unity. Without collaboration and collective effort, the development we all seek for Ogbia Kingdom, Bayelsa State, and Nigeria will remain out of reach.”
The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, in his remarks, appreciated the leadership of the Ogbia Brotherhood Unity Branch, for the consistency in pursuit of peace, welfare and development of the Ogbia Kingdom.
He assured them of the commitment of NDDC to the development of communities in Niger Delta region, and appealed to them to uphold the integrity and dignity of the Ogbia Kingdom, by ensuring that members don’t engage in activities that will bring bad reputation for the Ogbia Kingdom, thus reducing further chances of securing good opportunities in future.
Chairman of the Occasion, Azibola Robert, appealed to the people to champion a campaign that will protect the cultural heritage of Ogbia Kingdom, so it can be passed to the coming generation.
