By Ochuko Akuopha
ASABA — The Ndoshimili Development Union (NDU), the apex socio-cultural body of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, has raised the alarm over aggressive shoreline erosion threatening communities in the area.
The union warned that Abala-Oshimili and Onyah, which it identified as the worst-hit communities, could be wiped out within a few years if urgent measures are not taken to control erosion and protect their shorelines.
The NDU made the position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its maiden virtual consultative town hall meeting and signed by its President-General, Engr. Ike Onyenokwe, and Secretary-General, Dr. Oke Michael Aziakpono.
The union also lamented the high level of infrastructure deficit in the local government area despite its significant contribution to oil and gas production in the Niger Delta.
“NELGA hosts one of Nigeria’s highest concentrations of oil and gas assets, contributing significantly to total Niger Delta crude oil output,” the communiqué stated.
It noted that the Okpai Independent Power Plant alone generates more than 480 megawatts for the national grid, yet many host communities in the area still lack basic electricity, motorable roads, functional healthcare facilities and standard educational infrastructure.
The union, however, commended the Delta State Government for the ongoing 10.8-kilometre Aboh-Akarai road project.
It called for urgent attention to several other critical infrastructure projects, including the Asaba-Aboh-Onyah-Patani Coastal Trunk Road, which it said was originally conceived and approved in 1978 but remained unconstructed.
Other projects identified as requiring immediate intervention by the state and Federal Governments include the Aboh-Akarai Bridge and connecting road; Asaba-Ase Bridge and road extension; Igbuku-Ibrede-Awah-Iyede-Ame-Umuolu Road; Obetim-Isselegu-Obikwele Road; and Akwukwu-Igbo-Abala-Oshimili-Abala-Obodo Road.
The union also listed the Ibrede-Azagba-Ibedeni-Ase Road, Isselegu-Inyi/Onuaboh-Abala Road and internal access roads in Aboh, Ashaka, Igbuku, Ibrede and Ossissa among projects requiring attention.
The NDU further expressed concern over what it described as the marginalisation of Ndokwa East in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying the local government had yet to secure representation on the commission’s Governing Board.
It also lamented that the area had not realised tangible benefits from the three per cent Host Community Development Trust Fund provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The union urged the Delta State and Federal Governments to prioritise Ndokwa East in budgetary allocations for infrastructure, disaster mitigation and social services.
It also demanded equitable representation in federal and state executive and board appointments, as well as the full, transparent and effective implementation of the PIA’s three per cent Host Community Development Fund for eligible host communities.
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