Oil Coys, Govt urged to develop Oil communities as Niger Delta stakeholders meet

By Austin Okoro – Owerri…

The stakeholders of Niger Delta areas of Imo state comprising of Ohaji/ Egbema, Oguta and Oru East local government areas have urged the oil companies operating in the areas to bring even development to the oil communities alleging neglect and high handedness in their relationship with the people.

They also accused Imo state government of neglect especially in the areas of road constructions, electricity, pipe – borne water, scholarships, employment etcetera.

Hon Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, and Intelligence, Prince Dr Henry Okafor, middle, and stakeholders during the Niger Delta stakeholders meeting in Owerri, recently

This was disclosed during a robust stakeholders meeting held on Thursday 29th January, 2026 at McDon Skye hotels Owerri anchored by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence Imo State.

Speaking during the meeting, the Chief host and the Hon. Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence, Prince Henry Okafor urged the oil companies to always listen to the cries of the oil bearing communities and bring even development to them.

Okafor noted that the oil companies and the government despite the complaints or agitations have brought some projects to the oil communities adding that some are completed and others are ongoing.

The commissioner named a number of achievements by the state government which include fight against cultism and restoration of the dignity of the youths of the areas, building of four tertiary institutions, creating of enabling environment and curbing insecurity.

He however urged the oil companies to use the opportunity of the peace in the environment to employ the youths to reduce unemployment in the areas.

Prince Okafor urged the people to direct their complaints to the Niger Delta Ministry instead of fighting the oil companies as they are parts of the government adding that the ministry was created to bring succour to the Niger Delta people.

He also urged the oil operators to obey the Petroleum Industry’s Act agreement as the ministry will not support them if the communities react.

Okafor, former MD of ISOPADEC promised to send their complaints to the governor of Imo State.

The Chairman of the event, Rt Hon Goodluck Nana Opiah , a former speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, said, oil exploration started in the areas when the people were not enlightened but now that the people are educated enough, the oil companies should do the right things for the people.

He added the oil companies are not doing well for the people of Niger Delta areas in Imo state and urged them to do their Corporate Social Responsibility for their host communities.

Rt Hon Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu representing the good people of Ohaji Egbema, Oguta, Oru West in the National Assembly angrily condemned the ugly behaviours of the oil companies operating in Niger Delta, accusing them of not obeying the agreements reached with host communities.

Rt. Hon Jones Uzoka, former Majority leader of the Imo state House of Assembly said , it is not only oil companies that should be blamed for woes in the areas but Niger Delta Development Commission, Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission and the Imo State government should as well be blamed for the underdevelopment ongoing in the Niger Delta Areas of Imo state.

He urged the Imo state government to use the remaining two years to build roads, schools, electricity for Oguta and Ohaji-Egbema people as it is doing for other communities in Imo. Insisting that our roads are in very bad shapes and the government is not doing anything about them.q

Other stakeholders aligned with the fact that oil companies and government are not doing well for oil communities in Imo.

The oil companies ably led by an Imo son to the event, Mr Paschal Ihedike of OANDO oil company promised that they would turn a new leaf and would start doing what they should do for the people.

The event was honoured by Traditional Rulers, PGs, Youth leaders, Women wing, Hostcom, Oil companies, political appoiintees etcetra.