Ijaw communities in three local government areas in Edo State, on Monday, alleged abandonment by successive governments in the state.
A statement signed by the Secretary, Western Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, lamented that the Ijaw communities in Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West Local Government Areas of the state had been left to provide social amenities for themselves.
He said the communities were without good roads, potable water and healthcare facilities including dilapidated schools where their children are made to learn.
He lamented that some of the schools in the villages were built in the First and Second Republics and had since been abandoned by successive governments.
He appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to, as a matter of urgency, see to the correction of the situation in order for the people to have a sense of belonging.
He said, “This age-long seeming abandonment and marginalisation have forced us to ask ourselves if we are really still part of the state.
“We have been facing this neglect ever since; it is not just Obaseki’s administration.
“The riverine areas of Edo are mostly occupied by the Ijaw and it is the most underdeveloped area of the state.
“Owing to the neglect of the area by past administrations, the most of these communities lack government presence in terms of primary health care, potable water, schools, water hyacinth control and good roads.
“With over 200 major and satellite communities, we have contributed to the socio-economic development of the state, yet there is nothing to show for it.
“Just recently, the government of Edo State listed some roads for construction and rehabilitation, but none of our communities were captured.
“Our means of livelihood is threatened because of water hyacinth and nothing is being done about it, meanwhile a lot of development is taking place in the city,” he stated.