The Delta State Government on Thursday assured residents of Amachai Community, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government that their concerns over deteriorating roads and a worsening erosion menace will be conveyed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for prompt consideration.
The assurance was given by the Director of Protocol, Government House, Asaba, Olorogun Sunday Onoriode, during a peaceful protest by the Amachai Community Landlords’ Association.
The Director of Protocol who addressed the protesters on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said the Oborevwori’s administration remained committed to responding to the needs of the people and addressing developmental challenges across the state.
“I am here on the directive of the governor. You know him as a lover of development, and he has done so much for the people. I will convey this letter and everything you have said to him,” Onoriode told the protesters.
He assured the protesters that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was irrevocably committed to people-centred governance and is responsive to the legitimate concerns and aspirations of citizens.
He said: “Be assured that this administration is dedicated to addressing the needs of the people and will continue to listen to and act on genuine concerns brought before it.
“As I was coming, I saw somebody throwing water from behind. That is very, very wrong because if you are making a genuine case, you do not need to act as if you are protesting with violence. That act is very condemnable.
“I will communicate your message to him, and by the grace of God, he will get back to you. Thank you very much”.
Earlier, chairman of Amachai Landlords Association, Mr. Chukwunenye Okonkwo, who spoke on behalf of the community, said; “we are from Amachai Community. We are the landlords and tenants who live in that area, and we have come to present our request.
“First of all, we would like to thank our Governor for the great work he is doing across the state. We particularly appreciate the developments taking place, and we sincerely commend him for his efforts”.
According to the chairman of the Landlords Association, residents have made significant efforts to maintain their roads through self-help initiatives but can no longer cope with the extent of the damage caused by persistent rainfall.
“If you visit Amachai, especially the main road, you will see that the little we could do by ourselves, we have done. We have tried to maintain the road by filling it with stones and other materials, but the heavy rains continue to damage it. We have reached the limit of what we can do as a community,” he stated.
The spokesman, however, described erosion as the community’s most pressing concern, lamenting that a major gully channeling floodwaters from Okpanam and surrounding areas was rapidly expanding and threatening nearby buildings.
