MOSIEND Decry Neglect, Marginalization Of I jaw Communities By Government, Oil Companies
The Leadership of the Movement For the Survival Of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, Eastern Zone, has decried what it described as total neglect, underdevelopment, lack of empowerment, and untold hardship they have been deliberately subjected to by oil exploration companies and the River State Government.
The stakeholders also lamented over the deplorable state of the community roads and lack of provision of basic infrastructure by government interventionist agencies.
Speaking during the MOSIEND Half Hour Radio Programme, on Rhythm built to help amplify the everyday challenges facing the Ijaw communities in the Eastern Zone, Comrade, Eli Eli Stanley, Former Chairman Eastern Zone,MOSIEND representing Agwutobolo clan, and Comrade Emilia Erasmus , Treasurer Eastern Zone, Ikurru Clan in Andoni LGA, Rivers State, made their grievances known.
In their separate views, they accused government, the multinationals, NDDC, the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, of continually promoting unfavorable policies and programmes to undermine the development of the community.
Comrade, Eli Eli Stanley, stated that the communities under their clans have been totally shut out of government presence, making life unbearable for the people.
He noted that the women are mostly hit by this hardship, adding that human capacity building that would have help for their survival are hardly seen.
“NDDC hasn’t done anything thing meaningful for our people, there’s no such thing concerning development, there’s no power supply in our communities, we don’t have roads, we re urging government to come to our aids”
We are mainly fishermen, and that is our main essence of survival but no provisions of basic amenities. Provision of boat, fishing nets and other things would have help in providing food for our family and livelihood but reverse is the case. We are peace loving people and we deserve assistance from government at all levels.
The Government Intervention Agencies should have a representative office at local the government level for effective engagement and responses so we can have a feel of government.
Comrade Emilia, also lamented the unavailability of sources for portable drinking water and Schools, adding that the only school we have is a dilapidated building.
” No Portable drinking water, No power supply, the whole community is a shadow of itself, despite hosting oil company”
No health facilities in our communities, if there are health challenges we have to travel far to other Local Government Areas to get services.
“We need health facilities, fishing is our only source of livelihood, so government should provide us boat, fishing net and others.
Portable Drinking Water and Power supply.
