By Emmanuel Afonne
Leaders of Izombe, an oil-bearing community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo, have appealed to the Federal and State Governments, to urgently intervene in the provision of basic infrastructure to improve the living conditions of the people.
Mr Valentine Onwuka, Chairman, Izombe Central Union (ICU), Abuja Branch and a Patron of the union, Chief Vitus Egwuagu, made the appeal at their End of Year Get Together on Sunday in Abuja.
Onwuka, who lamented the underdevelopment in the community in spite of its status as an oil-bearing community, said that the area lacked basic amenities such as good roads, schools, electricity and other social infrastructure.
He described the level of underdevelopment in the community as unacceptable for an oil-producing area.
“As an oil-producing community, these basic necessities are not privileges; they are our rights. They are needed to improve life in the community,” he said.
He said that economic trees in the area had been destroyed by gas flaring and environmental degradation linked to oil activities, adding that there was nothing on ground to show that oil is being produced in Izombe.
According to him, Izombe is one of the first oil-producing communities in Nigeria, but has not benefitted from opportunities usually associated with such status, including scholarships and community development projects by oil companies.
“Oil companies are supposed to provide scholarships, both locally and overseas, for our children and support community development but there is nothing like that in Izombe.
“The impact of crises and neglect on education in the area, is worrisome that many government schools are left with only a few teachers.”
He stressed the need for inclusive and reconciliatory leadership, warning that appointing or selecting political divisions and revenge-driven leadership would worsen the plights of the community.
“Reconciliation builds communities and nations. Hatred and resentment only destroy them.
“We need leaders whose focus will be unity and development, not division,” he said.
He specifically commended one of their sons, Rep. Eugene Dibiagwu, who is the member representing Ohaji-Egbema/ Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency, for single-handedly sponsoring their end of year get together in Abuja.
Onwuka also lauded the efforts of Dibiagwu and others including Chief Vitus Egwuagu, retired Brig.-Gen. Kalu Egwuagu and Sir Alex Ihesie in moving Izombe forward and uniting its people.
“These men are admirable and worthy of honourable memories for their contributions so far in this union.
“Therefore, the hudes presented to them was to express our much regards because I believe strongly that transparency is crucial to correcting misconceptions.”
He urged the parent body to elect competent hands as new town leaders who would champion the rehabilitation of hospital, government school which are in dilapidated forms, ensure constant electricity and good roads.
“We need leaders who will not come to seek revenge because revenge destroys communities, while the leaders who seek reconciliation build communities/nations. Hatred, resentment and negative emotions have weighed us down developmentally for too long.”
Also speaking, the patron of the union, Chief Vitus Egwuagu, appealed to government at all levels to urgently address the infrastructural decay in the area, particularly Izombe/Ogbako road now with several failed portions.
Egwuagu, a retired Deputy Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the Izombe/Ogbaku road linking the communities to Owerri was constructed in 1979 by the government of Chief Sam Mbakwe and had since deteriorated because of the heavy use by oil trucks.
“The community has remained peaceful over the years, yet nothing is being done for it.
“There is no federal institution in the town, or even in the local government area,” he said.
“Izombe once served as a strategic location for oil transportation, with a river route used to evacuate crude oil, but the area has since been abandoned.
“We are asking the government to have a rethink and do something meaningful for Izombe,” Egwuagu said.
The community leaders also called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to recognise Izombe’s contribution to the national economy and respond with concrete development projects that would uplift the living standards of its people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
