Briga News Nigeria
By Engr. John Perede Akpoyibo,
CEO, Global Impact Foundation Worldwide
Warri, Nigeria
Burutu Local Government Area (LGA) is rapidly transforming into the largest political trade fair and business hub in Delta State. This transformation supports the families of political stakeholders and secures future political positions for key players, who often funnel development funds back to the government. Indigenous contractors benefit enormously, leaving behind unsafe and abandoned projects like the market jetty and the NPA quarters road, which pose serious risks to residents, particularly elderly women. Meanwhile, the headquarters has suffered power crises for years, with political gains prioritized over resident welfare. We use this medium to call on all contractors to go and complete their projects.
Local monarchs enjoy royalty perks without addressing the stagnation of their farmlands, and LGA Chairmen are undemocratically recycled to maintain loyalty to the state governor. With the removal of subsidies, civil society organizations are aware of the substantial funds now available to state and local governments. Despite this, Burutu remains in dire need of functional infrastructure, including a turbine for the local government headquarters. Investors and business owners are not finding the environment conducive any more inspite of the increasing population.
As another political dispensation dawns, the governor’s upcoming visit to this political business hub for the flag off of the new chairman, Hon. Chief Julius Takeme, looms large. Burutu has been devoid of light and potable water for years, and this visit, accompanied by the architects of Burutu’s current state, will likely end in superficial fanfare, leaving the community to continue suffering. Simply selecting an indigenous LG Chairman can make no difference unless there is a commitment to real action. Unfortunately, the youth, complicit in this decay, are unlikely to push for change, leaving future generations ignorant of true governance’s value.
It would be disheartening to witness the waste of allocations and the transformation of the LGA headquarters into a political market square. Generation Z, facing massive hunger, is unlikely to drive a digital protest from screen to street, preferring to align with the system for survival, at least an S. A position can temporarily go a long way . The Ijaw Publishers Forum remains silent because everyone seeks to benefit from the failed system, no matter how little, or fears being labeled “enemies of progress.”
The governor’s visit, like others, is expected to be a superficial spectacle with no lasting impact. Politicians’ pursuit of personal mansions, foreign travels, and hotel stays reflects a myopic mindset unfit for the 21st century, blinding them to the value of progressive development. In contrast, Kenyan youth refuse to compromise their future for outdated, unprofitable political systems. It should not take a lifetime to realize that power truly belongs to the people. People are dying due to insufficient medical personnel across wards, yet no one speaks out.
No vocational centers, the only available higher institution is been split Into 3 different locations so why is the state government not splitting other higher institution to the local government? There are communities that has the capacity to house higher institutions, people have to beg to sustain the name for Maritime Polytechnic expecting us to applaud the state government?
Why can’t we have roads linking Burutu, Odimodi and Ogulagha? Why can’t we have roads linking Gbekebo and obotobe? We can’t have landmark projects in Ijaw land yet we have politicians that want people to sing their praises; forcefully demand respect from subjects. What happens to the Marine polytechnic parmanet site? It had been rolled under carpet, what happened to the remaining phase of the the Burutu dredging project? How many NDDC projects can we record in this local government? How many DESOPADEC project have we recorded from inception.
Needles to say how political sentiments has also affected development in Burutu local government. Even with the claim that the umbrella is big enough for all there are still king size lacunas, this would be a story for another day. How many worthwhile constituency development projects do we have records of?. It is clear we traded off so many things to the detriment of the local government….which justifies a fish brain politics. If party affiliations won’t solve our problems then it’s time we start clamouring for independent candidature. Thank God we still have bonga fish in river Forcados, farm lands to farm and the mangrove forest is readily available for people to fetch fire wood to feed.
The Implications of recurring deaths while transferring patients from Ogulagha Cottage Hospital to Warri for critical surgeries are ignored. Ogulagha Cottage Hospital needs more surgeons. The Burutu General Hospital is deteriorating, with poor security and ongoing theft issues. The Nigerian Port Authority and Delta Timber Industry facilities, once the best in West Africa, have been ravaged by scrab scavengers, despite the presence of a government.
The critical question remains: what will Chief Julius Takeme do differently with the significant funds that would be made available for him, with the positive effects on subsidy removal?
Well, The CEO of Global Impact Foundation Worldwide heartily welcomes Hon. Chief Julius Takeme, we also support his perfect choice for Vice Chairperson, Madam Georgina Evah. However, we urge him to address pressing issues with the resources that would be at his disposal.
We warmly welcome our State Governor Rt. Hon. Chief Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to Burutu Community, the headquarters of Burutu LGA. Our appeal is to cease politicizing the power crisis and prioritize resolving it to preserve the credibility of his term.
Enough is enough. Let us see real value in government and governance, and make a lasting impact on Burutu and its people.
