Between Local Market And Access Roads

The bulk of Nigeria’s wealth is derived from crude oil. But the Federal Government of Nigeria doesn’t seem to have responded fully to the yearnings of indigenes of major oil producing communities in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta states of the Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was firmly entrenched in our 1960 constitution by the founding fathers of this country, with the active encouragement of the former colonial power. Its purpose was to address the depressed areas of the Niger Delta Regions of Nigeria which even in colonial times had been neglected because it needed special attention, political determination and huge resources to undertake any meaningful development in this part of the country. The NDDC was subsequently smoldered by political subterfuge.
However, because it is proper that the oil producing communities be properly developed and fully integrated into the mainstream of the Nigerian society, the military government under General Ibrahim Babangida promulgated Decree No. 23 establishing Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).
The areas of development needs on which the commission is supposed to place emphasis include provision of portable water, electricity, net-work of feeder roads, erosion control, land reclamation/transportation and canalisation.
Even though the bulk of the nation’s wealth comes from crude oil (black gold), the major oil communities in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Imo, Cross River States have been marginalised by both the government and oil, prospecting companies like Shell.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company working jointly with the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) have always undertaken major oil drillings in their areas of operation including Adadia in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State where oil has been discovered in large quantity.
Nevertheless, the issue of federal government’s passivity to the yearning of the communities even at the instance of the defunct OMPADEC generated a lot of problem thereby making the people look restive.
However, the adoption of confrontational approach to such reckless neglect as most communities have done and are still doing cannot help matters. Such negative approach is counter productive to the stability of the country. It is, therefore, incumbent on the oil producing companies to come to the aid of their host communities by providing necessary amenities such as good road, net-work.
Uruan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State is one of such oil communities that need assistance from both the federal, state and oil companies.
The Adadia market road is veritable economic route for the federal, state and local government in question. The Shell Petroleum Development Company also has a role to play in the resuscitation of the road.
However, it is disheartening that although the only access to Adadia market is at stake, the two tiers of government and Shell have not done enough to help matter. The road needs thorough reconstruction by way of drainage and tarring, although the state government has tarred the road because of Adadai market.
There are conspicuous potholes, swamp, flood and mud after rain. During the third republic Mr. Ita Essien, the then local government chairman could not properly drain the market place which has continued to wreak havoc on the accessibility of the market place.
The present leadership of the council should take the bull by the horn. By so doing his name will be printed on the sands of time.
Abandoning the road to the state and oil companies alone, may not serve any useful purpose for the indigenes and inhabitants of the area.
Etim writes from Akwa Ibom.

Prince Sintrials Etim