ASABA/Nigeria: A group under aegies of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), the Socio-cultural Organization of Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality, and one of the respected and recognized ethnicity group in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government led by President Mohammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency address the long term marginalization of Ndokwa People by successive Governments in the country.
In a press conference held on 21st July, 2020 at Christ Anglican Church Hall, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that it ensures that Equity and Justice prevails in all its entirety on matters as it concerns the development of Ndokwa Nation.
The group leadership noted that Ndokwa nation is law abiding citizens of Nigeria with an estimated population of 495, 641 people and 800,000 people as at today given the exponential rise in population opined that its people has been disadvantaged in the political and socioeconomic development and equation of Nigeria and then appeared for a redress by the Federal Government, added that Kwale became a divisional headquarters in 1901.
NNU stated further that Ndokwa nation as an ethnic Nationality group in Nigeria has the largest gas deposit in Africa; producing about 155,000 barrels of crude oil, which is about 15% oil production; housing numerous in Nigeria oil companies which some of them has been in operation since 1960s.
Ironically, Ndokwa Nation lacks good power supply, Good roads and other basic amenities, poor infrastructural development, Indians taken over the employment opportunities meant for indigenes of Ndokwa Nation, and other sundry matters which bothers on zero appointment in NDDC Representations by different ethnic Nationalities in the Niger-Delta Region, environmental degradation, no intervention programs, poor CSR by oil companies.
NNU who join other ethnic Nationalities in Delta State to demand that 100% of the marginal fields be given to the people of the Niger-Delta Region noted that Ndokwa Nation in line with 2009 ranking of ethnic Nationalities in terms of oil production that Ndokwa Nation is third next to I jaw, then the leaders of NNU stated that the group cannot guarantee the silence of their youths made some further demands from the Federal Government.
The leadership urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency pass the bill to approve the establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Kwale, also establish Federal University of Industrial Technology in Ndokwa Land, also that the Federal Government of Nigeria should ensure that she completes the phase 2 NDDC approved roads in Ndokwa Nation, ensure that the Federal Government completes its Independent Power Plant (IPP) project left since 15 years ago at Okpai, Ndokwa land.
Others demands are that the Federal Government of Nigeria completes the 1000 link roads in Ndowa Nation, upgrade of School of Marine Technology, Kwale Campus, the construction of lecture Halls, Administrative Blocks at Kwale, and for the oil companies operating in Ndokwa land to relocate their headquarters to the area to utilize their peaceful disposition to develop Ndokwa Nation.
The Press Briefing was attended by the Chairman Caretaker Committee (NNU), Dr. Ogaranya Tabs Tabowei, Secretary Caretaker Committee (NNU), and other Principal officers; Prof. Bernard Ejechi, Dr. Bliss Osakwe, Chief Mrs Philomena Egwuenu, Engr. Dr. Friday Otutu, NNU Committees in a press conference held yesterday being 21st July, 2020 at Christ Anglican Church Hall, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta.
