Security: Ezekiel visits Delta creeks, preaches peace in return for development
By Tare Magbei, Ndu Samuel
Senior Special Assistant, SSA to Delta State governor on Security, Comrade Daniel Ezekiel has assured the people of Opuama and Sekelewu-Polobubo communities in Warri North Local government area of governments willingness to attract development to the area.
He gave the assurance during a familiarization tour of the two communities to thank them for their continued support to the government of Dr. ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday.
Speaking in a town hall meeting at Opuama, the SSA security admitted that he knows the political and economic marginalization that is steering the people in the face arising from neglect and deprivation from oil companies operating in the area, but assured that urgent steps will be taken to draw the attention of the governor to the plight of the people
”I know what my people are going through; political and economical marginalization. Oil companies have not helped matters too as they have not played their role in the development of our communities. ”
” I assure you that I will ensure that His Excellency listens to the cries of our people who I believe will implement my reports. I only plead that the needed support be given to His Excellency for him to implement the good plans he has for us. ”
In his message to the youths, Comr. Ezekiel admonished them to eschew all form of negative tendencies that are capable of causing breach of peace while also urging them to remain calm and law abiding even in the face of alleged marginalization.
”I also implore all youths in our community to give peace a chance despite the marginalization. Let law and order be maintained day in and day out ”
In his reaction, the Amaokosu – owei of Opuama community, Pa Chief Julius Loboh lamented that the community is bedevilled with myriads of life threatening challenges such as lack of good roads, unavailability of pipe borne water , he revealed that the only source of water available to the people is bacteria infected.
He also noted that the only health center in the community has no staff to attend to patience thereby denying the people access to good health care and causing many avoidable deaths.
In her submission, Mrs Caro Moses who spoke on behalf of the women told the SSA that the community is in dire need of market and skill acquisition centers where they can receive relevant training that will enable them give them helping hands to their husbands.
Also, Japhet Loboh, a youth leader in Opuama and Endurance Ogular who spoke on behalf of the youths, echoed the submissions of earlier speakers, and added that schools in the community are all wearing faces of dilapidations in addition to dearth of teachers.
Comr Ogular particularly noted that the community is the one currently taking care of 11 teachers working in the community schools.
Ezekiel, while reacting to the complaints promised to engage the state government and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the challenges are surmounted
On arrival of the SSA ‘s entourage to Polobubo community, it received a rousing welcome as the people congratulated Comr. Ezekiel for his appointment by the governor.
When he engage the people in a round table meeting, the complaints were not different from that of Opuama, as challenges ranging from lack of good road and pipe borne water, deplorable state of health centres and schools were highlighted.
Elder Gabriel Iyolo, who spoke on behalf of the community particularly pleaded that the SSA should ensure that the abandoned walk way project be completed with urgency to ease mobility in Polobubo Sekelewu community.
Again the SSA promised to channel the report to the governor and concerned agencies, assuring them that the governor will surely attend to their plights.
It should be noted that Opuama community is one of the major oil producing communities in Warri North local government area but sadly, has nothing to show in terms of development.
