The operational office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Imo State located on the Owerri/Port Harcourt Expressway Imo State has been temporarily shut down by youths from the oil-bearing communities.
The protesting youths of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area who embarked on peaceful protest stormed the commission, locked and blocked the main entrance gate with a muffed coffin carried by their Chief juju priest.
Also, the youth threatened to resort to shutting down all oil installations in their localities if nothing is done immediately to address their demands.
The youth chanting solidarity songs, with placards bearing inscriptions such as “We need our right in NDDC,” “return our diverted NDDC projects,” “We say no to NDDC Marginalisation,” “Enough of these marginalisations”, and “Avu Etekwuru Road is a death trap” barricaded the commission.
Addressing reporters during the protest, the National President of Ohaji Youths, Comrade Ugorji Emmanuel condemned the recent employment conducted by the Commission which he allegedly did not capture people from the oil-rich communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGA.
According to him, out of the 800 jobs, 80 slots were given to Imo State with none allotted to the people of the oil-producing communities.
The youth expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of electricity, good roads and other social amenities lamenting that Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta are the oil producing areas in the state but with nothing to show for it.
They complained about the neglect of the communities by the Commission which has resulted in the abandonment of a number of projects in their areas.
