Orhionmwon communities demand NDDC commissioner’s post

Oil and gas producing communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint the next commissioner that will represent Edo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the area, in the interest of justice, fair play and equity.

The communities, Obozogbe-Nugu, Ikobi, Oben and Iguelaba in an open letter to the president that was signed by their Public Relations Officer, Victor Enoma and six others, decried the marginalisation of the area in terms of appointment since the establishment of the NDDC despite their contributions to the nation’s economy through production of light sweet crude and gas.

They cited the gas reserve in Oben and the over 95 operational oil wells in the area which, they said, had been in operation since 1972, adding that the strategic importance of the area to the economy of the nation cannot be overemphasised.

The communities said they lack good roads, water, electricity among other facilities.

According to them, since the inception of the NDDC, commissioners that have represented Edo State on the board of the commission were picked from non oil-producing communities.

They appealed to the president to halt the trend by appointing one of their own as the next commissioner in the NDDC board that will soon be reconstituted.

“The appointment of candidates from non-oil and gas producing communities can no longer be accepted. We have demonstrated more than enough maturity and patience by agitating for our right and amicably appealing for a change.”