By FELIX IGBEKOYI, Asaba

The people of Ndokwa Nation, under the aegis of Ndoshimili Indigenous People of Ndokwa East (NIPONE) in Delta State, have lamented that they can no longer sit and watch their lives destroyed.

While insisting that injustice had pushed them to a point of resistance to protect their lives, they issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government and oil companies operating in the area to address the marginalisation of their people.

They threatened to mobilise against oil companies operating in the area if their demands, which included the construction of Asaba-Oko-Utchi-Aboh-Abalagada-Patani coastal road and electricity supply to communities in Ndokwa-East are not addressed.

NIPONE said the people of the area, who comprised the larger parts of the Ndokwa Nation, will no longer tolerate the continued neglect and economic subjugation of oil-bearing communities of the area.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Olise Imegwu; Secretary, Dr. Adaobi Ugbomeh and seven others, the people of Ndoshimili demanded that their people must be included in employment opportunities by oil companies operating in their communities.

The statement said: “It’s painful to note that although our communities are awash with oil wells, the ownership of which have been given to other people, we have also been denied the benefits of being host to oil, gas and Independent Power Plant. We, as a people have today, resolved to take immediate steps to right these wrongs.

“Right of first refusal should be given to our qualified sons and daughters regarding employment positions in all the oil and gas companies operating in NELGA in the spirit of local content principle. We also demand the repair of all roads used by oil and gas companies and their vehicles.”

While calling for the immediate dredging of the River Niger and adjoining rivers in Ndokwa-East to curtail the recurrent flooding of the communities, they demanded for the installation of shoreline protection along the bank of the River Niger.

“We are calling for the immediate dredging of the River Niger, and adjoining Rivers in Ndokwa-East, and installation of shoreline protection in all our communities on the bank of the River Niger to prevent the annual devastation from flooding of the river.” (Daily Independent)

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