Niger Delta And The Task Of Developing Riverine Areas

Riverine areas of the Niger Delta are some times described as difficult terrain not because the people are themselves difficult but because the topography unlike in the upland requires more efforts and funds in building up its infrastructural facilities necessary for meaningful socio-economic development.
Experts for instance have made it clear that it costs more to construct six kilometre road in a riverine area that what it takes to do same for 10 kilometres in Upland.
Governor Uduaghan’s administration has not only taken special note of this peculiarity of riverine areas but has taken steps to ensure that this terrain which paradoxically hosts most oil facilities do not get relegated to the background.
At inception, the administration, recognizing peace and security as a catalyst for rapid human capital and infrastructural development inaugurated the Inland Waterways Committee with the task of monitoring and gathering intelligence on areas regarded as flash points of the riverine areas.
Coming barely 48 hours after the governor’s swearing-in ceremony, this committee through diligence and dedication to duty provided a template which has proved effective for restoring and sustaining peace and security in areas that hitherto constituted the hot bed of youth restiveness and militancy.
With peace and security in place the stage was set for a new dawn in riverine areas and in no distant time, Bomadi bridge, Delta State Polytechnic, Abigborodo, Warri and Koko Industrial Park, School of Marine Technology and various commercial linkages with areas formerly unaccessible would become a reality.
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) which by virtue of the relevant laws also played and is still playing visible role in the development of oil communities which are essentially riverine areas as 50 per cent of derivation revenue to the commission has brought remarkable sense of belonging to the people.
Cottage industries have also sprung up in many of these riverine areas thereby swelling the volume and tempo of commercial intercourse between the communities and other parts of Delta State and indeed the whole world.
One riverine community whose joy and benefits in enjoying these benefits of democracy has been diminished is the Ayakoromo Federated Community in Burutu community since it was raided by the Military Joint Task Force (JTF) in December 2010.
The community which until the JTF invasion enjoyed the dividends of democracy like other communities has however lost most of these facilities to the attack.
For instance, electricity supply which plays a vital role in the social, political and economic development of any community has been destroyed by the JTF attack.
Again the roofs of classrooms of Ayakoromo Ngilebri Primary School among others need to be replaced as a result of the JTF invasion which has destroyed then.
As part of his concern for even development, Governor Uduaghan personally visited and inspected the affected areas to assess the extent of damage following the JTF attack.
Characteristically the Governor released funds including an initial sum of N3million to Ayokoromo community to help its citizens solve their problems and cushion the effects of the devastation. Another sum of N50million was released for the provision of structures to accommodate those who were rendered homeless as a result of the attack on the community.
Indeed, works have reached advanced stage inconstructing of housing structures as directed by the Governor.
While commending Governor Uduaghan the community has also identified another area of further assistance to include deflooding the low lying terrain of the area as well as the completion of the state government owned comprehensive Health Centre to cater for the health needs of the growing population.
These areas of need it is hoped would elicit government’s response as has been the case during the unfortunate JTF attack.
There is no doubt that given the prevailing peace in the state, including Ayokoromo Federated community, the Uduaghan administration is able and willing to meet the needs of the people and continue the track records of developing riverine and the whole state.