KOKORI: A deafening cry of neglect by leaders
WITH over half a century of noticeable
oil production contribution to the nation’s economy and growth, Kokori, a rural
community in Ethiope East locality of Delta State, has hardly gained prominence
in terms of commensurate returns, particularly federal presence. When it did
gain public attention lately, it was for all the wrong reasons, particularly
for the capture of “most wanted” Kelvin, leader of armed insurgents,
self-identified as Liberation Movement of the Urhobo People.The post KOKORI: A
deafening cry of neglect by leaders appeared first on Vanguard News.
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By ODJOGHO FELIX ADEWOLE
Chiefs, elders question Federal neglect and Delta State’s culture of abandoned projects in oil-producing and volatile Kokori community
WITH over half a century of noticeable oil production contribution to the nation’s economy and growth, Kokori, a rural community in Ethiope East locality of Delta State, has hardly gained prominence in terms of commensurate returns, particularly federal presence. When it did gain public attention lately, it was for all the wrong reasons, particularly for the capture of “most wanted” Kelvin, leader of armed insurgents, self-identified as Liberation Movement of the Urhobo People.
Shortly before and since Kelvin’s capture, emotions have been high as to whether Kelvin’s anger over perceived underdevelopment of his native Kokori was enough justification to declare armed struggle against the Federal Government. Among those who thought there is no correlation between Kelvin’s violent disposition and the agitation for Kokori’s development was the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to Delta State, Ovuzuorie Macaulay.
*Abandoned Ofuoma, Anaka, Kokori
Road
Condemning Kelvin’s activities, Macaulay contended that Kokori has had its
fair share of development from the State Government. “I know that Kokori has
network of roads. We have a housing estate, close to former Commissioner
Ojakovo’s house, also in that area,” he submitted. The Delta SSG further held
that as part of the larger Agbon clan in Ethiope East locality, Kokori has
equally enjoyed robust political appointments and representation as it has
“produced people in virtually all the administrations.”However, in pointed reaction, some elders and chiefs in Kokori have said “aspects of Macaulay’s appraisal harping on the Delta State Government’s fair share of infrastructural development to the community are tainted with half truths that we cannot deafen our ears to”. The community highlighted this disposition after a media tour of development projects within the area.
The protest tour was led by the community leaders, including President General of Kokori Progress Union, Chief Gabriel Avwunudiogba; Secretary of the Kokori Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Pleasure Ogbe; Chief James Eyefia; Chief Fredrick Eumofo; Chief Pleasure Ogbe; Chief Sunday Onochodjare; Chairman, Community Development Committee, Chief Ochuko Umukoro; Chief John Irikefe and Chief John Oghenjobor.
According to them: “The reality in Kokori is that the SSG’s claim to fair share of development is prejudiced by widespread non-completion and abandonment of most of the projects on which that conclusion was drawn”.
They expect Kokori, considering what government gets from its over 36 oil wells and other key oil production facilities, to reflect a city with marked government presence, with laudable infrastructures, and that the reverse has been the case.
Secretary to Kokori Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Pleasure Ogbe, said: “The major projects said to have been awarded by Delta Government or its agencies were either left at the foundation stage or abandoned without completion. He cited the construction of Ofuoma/Anaka/Kokori Road awarded to Workson Construction Company where two aged women returning from farm reportedly drowned in attempt to cross a wooden bridge improvised by the community because of the bad road following its abandonment by government.
Ogbe continued that pipe- borne water as the least basic amenity every community should enjoy does not exist in Kokori as none of the three water projects initiated for the people dispenses a drop of water, adding that widespread abandoned projects is one fate the community has suffered through the years.
Among the projects the community complained about are construction of Oria-Abraka, Egbo-Kokori/Eku-Imodje Road, concrete drain along Kokori/Eku Road, Kokori/Ugono/Orogun Road, Emeyese Crescent; renovation/fencing of Kokori Grammar School, renovation/fencing of Egbo Grammar School, construction/equipping of public library in Kokori, Ofuoma/Anaka/Kokori Road, installation of street lights, rehabilitation/ extention for water scheme in Kokori.
The list numbering over 50 of such uncompleted projects inspected also include installation of transformers and replacement of electricity poles, modern markets, construction of Ring Road as well as construction of Kokori/Oshesheri/Okpara lnland Road. Others include construction/fencing of Youths Development and Skill Acquisition Center, Women Training Center and Township Roads. Other projects inspected were the fencing of Ibruvwe Grammar School, Samagidi Kokori, Delta State Integrated Rural and Industrial Programme, Co-operative Shopping Center and reinforcement of electricity/installation of transformers from Egbogho to Ikhukhu.
President General of Kokori Progress Union, Chief Gabriel Avwunudiogba, a lawyer, was rather concerned at the environmental and health challenges affecting the community through gas flaring and oil pollution. “We have so much oil, rated among the best brand in the world but we are spectators in the sharing of the returns from tapping of that resource.
And from the associated pollution, our people who depend mainly on subsistence farming suffer the double pain of poor harvest on the polluted lands and rivers where aquatic lives have drifted to safer waters. Government’s plan to relocate the people because of the heat wave from the flow station remains a dashed hope,” he said.
“We appeal to the State and Federal Governments to come to our assistance. We need a College of Agriculture and other tertiary institutions. We need a standard hospital. We need a new Boys Secondary School. We have provided land as requested by government. We had Kokori Boys Grammar School but since government retuned it to the Catholic Mission, our children trek about four kilometres every day to farther Egbo for studies because the majority peasant parents can’t afford the hiked fees by the new owners.
“We can’t continue to play the goose that lay the golden eggs but live in deprivation. We can’t forever live by the river and perpetually wash our hands with spittle”, the President General lamented.
