By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
ELDERS and leaders from the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities in Delta South Senatorial District have begun a fresh round of strategic engagements aimed at pressing Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently address what they describe as persistent marginalisation in infrastructural development.
A source familiar with a meeting held in Warri on Tuesday, January 27, disclosed that the elders, operating under the platform of the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders’ Forum (3Is), resolved to collectively engage the governor on a number of critical concerns affecting the district.
According to the source, the issues identified include alleged inadequate funding of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), perceived imbalance in the execution of major infrastructure projects across the state, and what the leaders described as the governor’s limited communication with elders who are not actively involved in partisan politics.
The source further revealed that the elders expressed concern that since Governor Oborevwori assumed office, little has been heard about the DESOPADEC budget, with the commission reportedly grappling with irregular and insufficient release of funds, despite what they claimed to be a significant increase in monthly derivation allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The leaders are also said to be considering a series of extensive media engagements in the coming days to draw public attention to what they perceive as the neglect of Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri communities, particularly riverine oil- and gas-producing and impacted areas, in the execution of state-funded projects.
In addition, the elders reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the poor representation of Delta South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, criticising the performance of the district’s senator, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas.
Efforts to obtain official reactions to the claims from relevant authorities were ongoing at the time of filing this report.
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