Oil-bearing communities in Egni Kingdom, Rivers State, have raised concerns about the apparent absence of essential amenities in the region, despite their significant contributions to the country’s development.
The 14 communities, home to major international oil firms like Total Energies, Shell Petroleum Development Company, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, asserted little evidence of the benefits of years of oil exploration in their area.
During a one-day Egni Development Summit in Obite town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, they called on the federal and state governments to intervene.
Organized by the Egni Professors and Academy Doctors Forum in collaboration with other Egni groups, the summit aimed to formulate a development blueprint for the well-being of both present and future generations.
Prof. Daniel Ogum, the summit’s chairman and President of EPADOF, emphasized that despite the abundant human and mineral resources in Egni, the community has not reaped the rewards of its substantial deposits.
“We thank Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for working cordially with our daughter, deputy governor of Rivers State. We respectfully remind His Excellency that he made a promise to make ONELGA the oil and gas hub of Rivers State.
“Egni is nature’s storage tank of crude petroleum and natural gas. We, therefore, most courteously request that the proposed oil and gas hub be located in Egni. Egni has suffered oil and gas exploitation and exploration hazards over the past 60 years.
“Similarly, we call on the Federal Government to recognise Egni and indeed ONELGA at large, especially in the allocation of resources and the making of appointments.
“We have given Nigeria so much without commensurate rewards. Let our reward be on earth because our natural resources are here on earth,” he said.
He also called on the Federal Government to acknowledge Egni in the allocation of resources and appointments, stating that despite the community’s significant contributions, they have not received commensurate rewards.
Prof. Ogum emphasized the need for the government to address the various needs of the community, including peace and security, education, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, Egni environment, urbanization, investment, and industry.
Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, serving as the Special Guest, encouraged the people to prioritize peace and unity for the sake of development.
She stressed the importance of embracing constructive ideas and fostering a harmonious environment for progress.
“There should be no room for rancour; there should not be a space for us to keep arguing.
“When somebody brings an idea and another person brings a better idea, let us all embrace the better idea. Let us continue to foster peace and togetherness,” she said
