Protest: Ovrode Community Shut Down Ughelli/Asaba Express Way Over Govt Neglect

Commuters plyng Ozoro/ Kwale axis of Ughelli/Asaba express way were on Monday, 21st February, 2022, held stranded as residents of Ovrode Community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, barricaded the road in a renewed protest over alleged negligence of the community by State and Federal Government.

The protesters comprised of the community men, women and youths who besieged the Ughelli/Asaba express way for hours with placards bearing various inscription such as, “Ovrode is bleeding, “No federal and State Government projects in Ovrode Community”, “Our Grammar school is in a bad shape, no teachers and no chairs”, “No Constituency projects in Ovrode Community,” “Oil exploration in our community since 1963 till date and nothing to show for it”, among others.

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Addressing newsmen at the scene of the protest, the President General of Ovrode Community, Mr Felix Efedhoma said, “both State and Federal Government have abandoned Ovrode Community despite being an Oil producing Community since 1963 till date.

In his words; “Ovrode as an oil producing community since 1963 till date, has no federal or state government projects in the community, not even DESOPADEC or NDDC project since 1999 till date.

“Ovrode Community is seriously bleeding. No Primary Health Care Center in the community, No portable water to drink, both Primary and Secondary school in the Community are all dilapidated and no good road network within the community.

“Since two weeks ago that we made the first protest, could you believe that we have not heard from the State or Federal Government. It was four days back that the Local Government Council Chairman called me and appealed that he will see what he can do.

“Not even a response from the Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly. This is to show the height of negligence from the State and Federal Government,” he added.

Corroborating the President General, the Youth Leader of Ovrode Community, Comrade Viano Unwe and the community women leader, Mrs Tina Ataibuno, said, “We as a peaceful loving community has supported both State and Federal Government in all elections since 1999 till date. But the presence of Government at all levels is not felt in the community. No State or Federal Government appointment. This shows that, the state and federal government have taken Ovrode Community for granted which we want to put an end to today.”

They however frowned at the poor state of infrastructural development in Ovrode Community, noting that, they will continue the protest till when both State and Federal Government answer them.

As at the time of filing this report, no Government officials from both Local, State and Federal Government were on ground to address the protesters.