Ijaw publishers urge Ijaw political office holders to prioritise development of riverine communities

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

The Ijaw Publishers Forum has advised political office holders of Ijaw extraction to prioritise the development of Ijaw communities across the Niger Delta region.

The president of the media professionals, Comrade Ozobo Austin asserted this in Warri while receiving a protest from some youths over the collapsed Esama/Gbaregolor bridge, abandoned Bomadi/Ogulagha road, Ayakoromo Bridge and Ojobo/Torugbene road, Odimodi/Ogulagha road projects on Thursday.

He said despite the government at all levels failing to prioritise riverine communities’ development, Ijaw political leaders had a role to play to attract government presence to the marginalised oil-producing and impacted Ijaw riverine communities in Niger Delta.

The media professionals had emphasised that they would strongly advocate for the Ijaw community’s development following the unfortunate disrespect for the Ijaw Nation’s development by successive governments at all levels over the years.

While promising the protesting Youths to convey their plights and demands to the Delta State governor, His Excellency RT. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis O. Oborevwori, he called on Delta Ijaw leaders to influence the completion of the aforementioned projects by lobbying the state governor and other relevant authorities in the federation.

Ozobo who further stated that Ijaw development is Ijaw’s responsibility, urged Ijaw political leaders to put more commitment to attracting meaningful development in their respective communities.