Delta: Urhobo Oil Rich Community Protest over Neglect, Bad Roads
LAGOS FEBRUARY 15TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Ekrokpe community, the traditional headquarters of Uhurie sub-clan of Ughievwen Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, erupted with a peaceful demonstration by villagers of the community that protested against the planned campaign rally of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged neglect of the oil rich community recently.
A spokesperson of the community, Olorogun Ted Mukoro, who spoke to the press during the demonstration, lamented that the community had always been in support of the PDP from its inception but regretted that there was nothing to show for its support for the party or its status as headquarters of Ekakpamre ward in terms of development compared to other communities in the ward like Otokutu, Ekakpamre, Egbo Uhurie, Usiefrun and others.
He said there is no local, state or federal government project in the community, adding that the indigenes over the years have been embarking on self-help projects to keep the community going.
However, a youth activist of the ancient Ekrokpe community, Comrade Michael Rukevwe Afaboke, affirmed that the community has suffered neglect in the hands of the PDP led-administration both at the local, state and federal government levels, ” yet this is where they collate results and commence all local, state and federal governments programmes in this area and yet there is nothing to show for it as the headquarters of the ward.”
The aggrieved youth activist, who noted that the Ekrokpe Road is a major cause of their agitation, alleged that during the campaign of the present Ughelli South Local Government Council chairman, the road was mentioned as a priority “but up till now, we have not heard any word from him on his promise concerning this road. If he cannot tar it, he should at least make it motorable.
“We learnt that they are coming to launch their campaign here and we are saying no. We have suffered a lot of neglect from them; they should go to elsewhere. They do not see or regard here as the headquarters of the ward. Hence we are demonstrating against their planned campaign rally here in Ekrokpe,” Afaboke explained.
