1year anniversary: IYC scores Oborewori low in development, political inclusion in Ijawland

•Threatens mass protest

By Peters Monday, Abuja

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has expressed disappointment and frustration with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s one-year performance in office, citing a lack of development and political inclusion for the Ijaw people in Delta State.

As the governor prepares to celebrate his one-year anniversary on May 29, 2024, the IYC noted that the Ayakoromo bridge, a critical project, remained uncompleted. The council emphasised that the Ijaw people are not only politically significant but also the economic backbone of the state, and therefore deserved fair treatment and development.

This is according to a statement signed by its national spokesman, Amb Princewill Binebai on Monday.

The IYC highlighted several issues, including:

– The lack of developmental projects in Ijaw areas, despite their significant political participation and economic contributions.

– The marginalization of Ijaws in the Oborevwori administration, with no reasonable projects to point to in the past year.

– The urgent need for the establishment of the Coastal Areas Development Agency (CADA) to address the developmental needs of coastal communities.

– The demand for two commissioners from Burutu Local Government, given its federal and state constituencies.

– The need for political balance in Warri North, where all two commissioners are from Itsekiri, and the correction of this anomaly in other local governments.

– The completion of the Ogulagha/Odimodi road project, a critical link between two communities.

– The development of the Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, which remains struggling for survival.

– The appointment of Ijaw youths into the government and political inclusion.

– The upgrade of the Bomadi Esena-ibe Teacher Training College to a state-owned degree-awarding college of education.

– The relocation of faculties from newly established universities to Ogulagha Kingdom, a major oil-producing community.

The IYC warned that if these issues are not addressed, they will be forced to lead a massive protest against the governor for alienating the Ijaw people in Delta State.