Women’s group accuses Burutu LGA chairman Takeme of prioritizing personal interests above development, empowerment of citizens

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A women advocacy group, the Ijaw Women Rights’ Protection Forum’ IWRPF, has faulted the chairman of Burutu Local Government council of Delta State, Chief Julius Takeme for neglecting the development of Burutu headquarters and its communities for personal interests.

This was contained in a statement signed by its national president Comrade Hilda Amogha on Sunday.

The group while criticizing the Burutu Council boss, stated that the council headquarters and its communities were facing severe underdevelopment challenges, particularly in the health, provision of drinkable water, education, youth and women empowerment.

The group raised alarm over an acute shortage of qualified medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other health workers, adding that existing health centres and hospitals were poorly equipped, lacking essential medical equipment, drugs, and modern facilities.

The group’s president queried that more were expected from the council chairman now that the council’s federal allocation is almost times two of the allocation in previous administrations following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Amogha noted that things were deteriorating in Burutu in terms of development compared to previous administrations. She called on Chief Takeme to take the development of Burutu headquarters and its communities very serious to avoid needless protests against his administration.

The group reiterated that Burutu people had been patient enough owing to the fact that about two years has gone bye, with no tangible achievement in the council despite the huge allocation.

The statement read, “A Call Against Underdevelopment in Burutu Local Government Area
Burutu Local Government Area is facing severe underdevelopment, particularly in the health and public service sectors. Our hospitals are in a deplorable state and require urgent renovation and upgrading. Many public facilities are outdated, unsafe, or completely non-functional, making effective service delivery almost impossible. Inadequate. Healthcare Services.

“There is an acute shortage of qualified medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other health workers. Existing health centers and hospitals are poorly equipped, lacking essential medical equipment, drugs, and modern facilities.

“As a result, access to quality healthcare has drastically reduced, especially for residents in rural communities across the Burutu Local Government Area. Lack of Stable Power Supply. The Burutu Local Government has suffered from an unstable electricity supply for over 15 years.

“This long-standing failure has severely affected:
Healthcare delivery (drug storage, emergency services, use of medical equipment),
Small and medium-scale businesses, Educational institutions
Overall economic growth and quality of life.

“Despite the vast potential of Burutu Local Government Area, residents are still forced to rush their sick and dying loved ones to Warri for medical treatment. This is a painful reality, especially when the average person cannot afford the cost of transportation and treatment outside the LGA. If Burutu had functional and well-equipped healthcare facilities, countless lives would be saved.

“This situation is unacceptable.
The people of Burutu Local Government must refuse to be used as political tools. It is time to stand up, demand accountability, and insist on our fundamental right to quality healthcare, electricity, and basic public services.
Burutu deserves better. The people deserve dignity. The time to act is now. Also leaving many young people without hope, opportunities, or direction, and increasing the risk of social and economic instability in the community.

“We therefore call on our Leaders at all Levels to urgently consider and prioritize the development and the needs of youths across Burutu local government Area by creating sustainable employment, empowerment, and skill development opportunities”.