Kou leaders task NDDC on completion of project in Agge

OVER what they described as glaring neglect and antics to under-develop over nine communities that make up the Kou Kingdom in Bayelsa State, the traditional ruler, chiefs and stakeholders have called on the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to return to site and expedite work towards the completion of the sandfilling and shore protection project in Agge.

The traditional rulers regretted that the project earmarked for completion within a year had been abandoned, for more than four years by the interventionist body in the region.

Making the disclosure in a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Partnership Agency (BSPA), Hon. Braboke Stanley Enaibagha in Yenagoa, the spokesman of the Kou Kingdom, Chief Isaac Egberibine, who stood in for the paramount ruler, led the delegation comprising the secretary of the traditional ruler’s council, Chief Lawrence Orukemezuogha and the traditional ruler of Agge palm bush, Chief Sunday Agbarfo, lamented that the project had lingered for years.

Egberibine noted that the continued delay had continued to pose grave danger to the people as more communities were on the verge of extinction owing to the tidal effect of the ocean, while families that left their ancestral land were yet to return because the sandfilling was yet to be completed.

He also took a swipe on oil multinationals that had benefitted from the Kou Kingdom that is blessed with abundance crude oil and gas, stressing that their attitude of not showing concern to ameliorate the plight of the people was  not only worrisome, but unacceptable.

“Kou Kingdom is an oil producing area and it has contributed immensely in the supply of crude oil that has continued to sustain Nigeria as a country; why is NDDC not showing concern over the threat to life in the area by ensuring speedy completion of the sandfilling and shore protection of Agge community” Egberibine queried.