The youths of Egbema kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have accused the State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, of marginalisation.

The group berated Okowa for depriving the Warri North of his flagship developmental empowerment programmes, STEP and YAGEP since 2015.

While speaking for the kingdom, the National President of Egbema Youth Council (EYC), Comr. Ebidouwei Messiah Miyenpirigha, recently told newsmen: “Out of 53 slots that was allotted to Warri North, only 15 Egbema kingdom youths were selected for the STEP and YAGEP programme in 2015 under the leadership of Prof. Eric Eboh and this has turned into a habit in the chief job creation office by perpetually denying Egbema youths of their entitlement as bonafide citizens of Delta State that suffered the defects of the oil exploration in our terrain.”

He also alleged that some youths who were recruited for training and empowerment exercise were relegated by Prof Eric Eboh, the chief job and wealth creation officer.

The youths, while calling on the governor to ensure equity in human capacity building and development, reminded the governor of the support of the Ijaw which made him the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Comr. Ebidouwei said despite the fact that Ijaw are the major contributor to the 13% federal government allocation derived from the oil producing communities. “When institutions were upgraded, none of the schools in Ijaw terrain was selected and the infrastructural projects that are going on in the nooks and crannies of the upland our communities were blacklisted without any cogent reason,” he said.

He noted that “Ijaw is one of the major ethnic groups in Delta State and as critical contributor of the success of the governor’s election and reelection, should be compensated by supporting an Ijaw aspiration by 2023 for the interest of peace, trust and justice.”