A Coalition of Professional and Pressure groups in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State has called on the State Government to move into Udu and address the dearth of infrastructure in the area so as to assuage the minds of the aggrieved people because according to the groups, their anger and frustration has reached a boiling point over the deplorable condition of the main Udu road and other critical infrastructure.

In a press statement signed by Mr. Famous Akpojotor for the Udu Kingdom Initiative For Development, Chief Onoriode Tataunu, Save Udu Forum, Mr. Rume Ophi, League of Udu Professionals, Comrade Akiko, O. D. S, Movement for the Preservation of Udu Heritage and Culture, Engr. Paul Orueri, Concerned Udu Elders and Leaders Forum and Peter Adjebetare, Ukoko Erhuwu Udu, the groups expressed dismay with the fact that during the celebration of 500 projects executed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the past two years, none of those projects was in Udu Local government area.

‘’It has become pertinent that we, the people of Udu Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State speak up against the neglect and marginalisation of our area by the Governor Sheriff Oborovwori-led state government. We have watched with rapt attention, the celebration of 500 projects to mark the two-year anniversary of the Governor, and to our dismay, shock and consternation, not a single one of these projects is in Udu LGA. This is a clear case of total neglect and maltreatment, and we make bold to state that Udu is being unfairly targeted.

‘’Recently, while commissioning projects in an adjoining local government, the Governor expressed his desire to construct a new stadium, but noted that the idea was stalled due to lack of land. We are disappointed that the governor could not consider Udu, which is part of the greater Warri metropolis.  Another clear unfair policy of the state government is the exclusion of Udu from projects by the Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Special Area Development Agency (WUEDA), established to deliver infrastructure in the area.

‘’As representatives of groups with membership cutting across all Udu communities and people in diaspora, we have listened to the frustration and anger being expressed by our people. This sentiment has reached a boiling point. The reaction is reflective of the popular saying that “He that is down need fear no fall.” We have, however, continued to call for calm while engaging the relevant government authorities. In 2024, we visited several government offices to make presentations on abandoned and critical projects that could drive development in Udu. Since that time, the Governor has announced similar laudable projects in other parts of the state.

‘’Despite being an oil-producing community and a significant contributor to the resources of both Delta state and Nigeria, Udu has been neglected with no visible signs of dividends of democracy from the state. There is an increasing migration of people into Udu, putting pressure on existing infrastructure. As we speak, public infrastructures are deteriorating. Our roads are in deplorable condition, our schools are dilapidated, and our only general hospital remains non-functional. These are clear indicators of a lack of concern for a people who continue to contribute significantly to the state’s economy. The people are now preparing to speak for themselves, and we can no longer guarantee that they will listen to our message of calm.

‘’We are therefore using this opportunity to call on the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, to address the glaring inequity and exclusion. We demand that the MORE Agenda be extended to Udu LGA. This is a demand for fair treatment and inclusion in the distribution of projects and benefits’’, the statement added.

Wado Admin

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