Youths Shut Down NDDC Office In Imo

The operational office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Imo State has been temporarily shut down by youths from the oil-bearing communities.

The protesting youths of Ohaji/Egbema LGA 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 youths threaten to resort to shutting down all oil installations in their localities if nothing is done immediately to address their demands.

The youths 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 Marginalization”, “Enough of these Marginalization”, “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 youths 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 continued neglect of the communities by the Commission which has resulted in the continued abandonment of a number of projects in their areas.

While demanding the immediate establishment of projects to Ohaji/Egbema and employment of youths from oil communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta in Imo State, they insisted on remaining in the Commission’s gate until their demands are answered.

Also speaking, the Egbema Youths President, Okenya Thaddeus Mario said that since his childhood till date, he had never seen any NDDC projects completed in his area.

He said that they decided to come and register their position to the commission for their action, adding that if nothing was done in this regard, they (youths) would be left with no option than to do it their best way.

As at the time of filling this report none of the NDDC staff deemed it necessary to address the protesting youths.