Ijaw Youths Demand Creation of Devt Council Centres in Edo Riverine Communities

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) has called for the creation of Local Government Development areas in riverine communtues of Edo to fast-track development in the area.

The IYC made the call at the weekend through its Western Zone Secretary, Omaghomi Olu-Derimon in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

He said the riverine communities in the Edo have been marginalised in terms of infrastructural development.

Olu-Derimon. who noted that the abandonment of riverine communities in the state precedes the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration, however, said Obaseki should change the narrative to “shame the naysayers.”

He also called for the creation of Riverine Development Agency as part of effort to ensure the development of the area as well as the establishment of a Maritime Academy to prepare the area for the planned Benin River Port in Gelegele.

“Ijaw communities have been deprived of presence of government ranging from projects execution and political appointments.

“To change the narrative, firstly, we call on the government to create a reverine development Agency or Commission to fasttrack Infrastructural Development in the reverine part of the state .

“Secondly, we are also calling for the creation of at least three local government development centers for the riverine areas of Ovia South-west, North-east and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.

“Lastly, we want the establishment of Marine Academy in the riverine terrain to prepare personnel for the off take of Gelegele seaport and human capacity development base.”