One of the Levels of the Under development of Ndokwa Nation, the Beneku Pontoo, serving a community with 24 Oil Operationsl Wells in Ndokwa East
Just like four years back, another election year is coming with all the frenzies and great expectation of Nigerians, they had lost hope in the system that they feel should protect them, and emancipate them from hunger, insecurity, lack of social amenities, dilapidated roads, institutions that are corrupt, and very venerable to manipulations. But despite these shortcomings in our value systems, many Nigerians, especially as the nation thrive in ethnicity, still have future, they make out ways to project, protect, and produce systems that grow their people.
These ethnic nations, especially in Delta State ensure that any government that comes, they will work out their benefits no matter how difficult the system may seem. Economically, they are among the least contributors to the economic growth of the state.
In the run up to the 2015 General Elections, there was much distrust among the people of Ndokwa nation, that featured more than three aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and one person in the All Progressive Congress, APC, that story is now history, but the salient outcome of that desperation, was the lack of common purpose, which resulted in absence of a concrete demand from the candidates from the three major contenders, of what will be the economic, political, social benefits of the Ndokwa nation, when they eventually wins, and assumes office. There was no collective bargaining for the common good of the people, and thus even the socio-cultural body of the Ndokwa nation, Ndokwa Neku Union, NNU, tried to do a mock selection for the benefit of the people, but ego, self pride, and lack of vision for the future and general wellbeing of the people, cost the people losses, that cannot be quantified, but they feels it.
At the end of the election, the winning party started off, appointments were made, and many sons and daughters of Ndokwa Nation, got appointments, in fact in each wards, there is an average of an appointee. It was like a party for all, as many were appointed, but without an impact in their communities.
These lack of purpose in 2014/2015 was a big loss, as we did not use the power of our strength as the second largest ethnic group in the state, the economic base of the state in terms of oil and gas, the available of large expanse of fertile lands in the area, the most secured area in doing business, the most welcoming people in the state to negotiate our future with the government, both state and federal.
Ndokwa nation is today the worst in the state, as half of the area lacks good road networks, the people of the area are not in good positions in government, the area hosts the largest quantity of gas reserve in the Sub Sahara Africa, and still has nothing to show for it. Travelling to Ndokwa East is like travelling to another planet. This is an area that has more than 30 oil reserves and wells that is operational. Ndokwa east, produces large number of plantains, and all rot away because of lack of means of getting them to the market, or preserving or processing them. The other two Local Governments, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani have their own contributions also to the economy of the state. In all, the three local governments have a retinue of professionals that contribute their quotas to the development of the state.
Despite all the contributions of the Ndokwa people, and the Ndokwa environment, the area had suffered greatly in the hands of those in government, including the people from the area, who majorly had refused to help to attract dividend of development to their people. Because most of them are there for their selfish reasons. They take the common good of the people, after accepting paltry gifts from their masters to starve the people. This makes them vulnerable when it comes to negotiating for the betterment of the entire nation.
Another election year is coming. The entire country is in fever pitch preparing for the 2019 elections. The questions that will come to our mind is, has the people of Ndokwa ethnic nationality set agenda for themselves. Are they going to go the way of the past years. Whom among the lots are we going to send that will ensure the common goods of the people will be well preserved and presented for the growth of the area. What is our weakness and our strength, can we make use of them. In all, what will be the contract with the winners after the 2019 elections. Let us think and act now. Enough of the self centred politics. Enough of sending those who don’t know how to attract development to their people. Enough of all these. There must be change after the 2019 election. The people of Ndokwa must work for their betterment, as no other person will do that for them.
