Expectations Rise As Lawmaker Engages NDDC Over Igbo-Chokota-Ikwerengwo-Umuebelu Road

● Urges Commission to include road in 2024 budget

By Elem Kash

There are growing expectations among the people of Igboh Agwuruasa clan in the Etche Local Government Area due to efforts by a serving lawmaker to get the NDDC to reconstruct a vital access road linking the Rivers State with Abia State  which traverses their communities.

The Igboh Agwuruasa clan is oil bearing but the NDDC set up to develop facilities in such areas with part of the derivation fund has ignored the reconstruction of most access routes leading to the area.

The lawmaker representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Kelechi Nwogu caused a stir, particularly among the people when  he raised the issue of the neglect of the Igbo-Chokota-Ikwerengwo-Umuebulu Road.

Presenting a motion on the floor of the House,  Nwogu spoke on the need for NDDC to build roads and bridges which connect neighbouring states in the Niger Delta.

Nwogu urged the NDDC to include the Igbo-Chokota-Ikwerengwo-Umuebulu Road in its 2024 budget.

Asking for the full backing of his colleagues while speaking on the floor of the Parliament, Nwogu lamented that the dilapidated road which connects Rivers and Abia States has received no attention over the years from the NDDC.

Describing the road as very vital,  the lawmaker said there was need to create access to the oil producing area which will open access to rich agricultural lands and oil sector establishments. 

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the Ulakwo/Odagwa Road in Etche which has become almost impassable as a result large potholes is to be reconstructed by Heirs, an indigenous oil firm that has bought over oil fields formally controlled by the Dutch owned oil major, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.

The Telegraph reports that representatives of the company have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the road that leads to part of the Nkali Oilfield.

Heirs held a meeting last week with the people of Odagwa in a bid to strengthen corporate ties and pave the way for smooth exploration activities.

We have learnt that the Odagwa people presented three requests. They are the reconstruction of their road, restoration of electricity and water supply to the oil producing community.

Heirs on its part agreed to the fulfilment of the requests, but asked the community to help stamp out illegal bunkering activities by oil thieves.

The company which is about to resume production has been working on damaged pipelines cut by oil thieves who operate illegal refineries in its area of jurisdiction.

A Chief in the community, name withheld, told this publication, “An inspection team from Heirs has visited the road to see things for themselves and take measurements.

“This means that Shell’s successors mean business by the grace of God and we are willing as a community to support them all the way.”