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)