19 August 2013, Akure – Leaders from the rich oil-producing communities of Ondo State have cried out over the neglect of the communities in the execution of developmental projects by the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs.
They said that projects running into billions of naira were awarded by the ministry in towns and communities outside its mandate areas of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Area.
According to them, communities in the two oil producing local governments were not attended to by the Ministry.
Spokesman of the communities, a former Special Assistant to the President on Youth Matters, Mr. Kolade Akinjo, speaking with newsmen, said the people had made several complaints to the ministry over the neglect of the area.
Akinjo said developmental projects were being executed in Irele and Okitipupa Local Government Areas to the detriment of the mandate areas.
According to him, the projects were awarded in the ministry’s 2013 budget, whereas no provision was made for Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas in the appropriation, contrary to the spirit behind the creation of the ministry.
Akinjo said the ministry should have given priority to the mandate areas which had been ravaged by underdevelopment and the effect of the oil production.
– Dayo Johnson, Vanguard