No fewer than 200 Ijaw communities scattered in three Local Government Areas of Edo, have decried their neglect by successive Governments of Edo State.

This was made known in a press statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday by Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, Secretary Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), western zone.

The statement lamented that the Ijaw communities in Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North East and Ovia South West Local Government Areas of the State have been allowed to fend for themselves.

Olu-Derimon stressed that the communities lacked any semblance of infrastructural development.

According to him, not only are the communities without good road, potable water and healthcare facilities, but worst off is dilapidated schools under which children of these communities are made to acquire knowledge.

He said that all these marginalisation, the Ijaw communities have contributed, in no small measure, to the political and economy development of the State.

He appealed to Gov. Godwin Obaseki to as a matter of urgency see to the correction of the abnormally in order for the people to have sense of belonging.

“This age long seeming abandonment and marginalisation have forced us to ask ourselves if we are really still part of the state. We have been facing this neglect ever since, it is not just Obaseki’s administration.

“The riverine areas of Edo, is mostly occupied by the Ijaws and it is the most underdeveloped area of the state. Owing to the neglect of the area by past administrations, the most of these communities lacks government presence in terms of primary health care, portable water, schools, water hyacinth control and good roads.

“With over 200 major and satellite communities, we have contributed to the socio economical development of the State and yet, there is nothing to show for it. Just recently, the government of Edo listed some roads for construction and rehabilitation, guess what’, none of our communities were captured. Our means of livelihood is threatened because of water hyacinth and nothing is being done about it, meanwhile a lot of development is taking place in the city,” he stated.

Olu-Derimon also noted that aside infrastructural development, the Ijaws are seldom considered for any political appointment or elective positions.

Olu-Derimo while defending the demands of the Ijaw people in Edo, concluded that their demands were legitimate and not meant to embarrass the Governor.

(Daily Independent)

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