Briga News Nigeria
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has called on the Federal Government, Edo State Government, National Assembly, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently address longstanding developmental and political issues affecting Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the 58th Boro Day Rally held at the abandoned Udo-Ofunama Road in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chairman of the IYC Western Zone, Comrade Nicholas Igarama, described the deplorable condition of the road as “a painful representation of decades of neglect, marginalization, and failed governance affecting over 300 Ijaw communities in Edo State despite their enormous contribution to the economic survival of Nigeria through crude oil production.”
Addressing journalists at the rally, Igarama said the continued abandonment of the strategic road had crippled economic activities, worsened insecurity, increased transportation costs, and isolated several riverine communities.
“The continued abandonment of the Udo-Ofunama Road is a direct assault on the economic survival, security, and dignity of Ijaw communities in Edo State,” he said.
“For years, residents have endured extreme hardship, loss of livelihoods, rising transport costs, poor healthcare access, insecurity, and economic isolation due to the deplorable condition of this critical road infrastructure.”
He accused the Federal Ministry of Works, Edo State Government, and the NDDC of failing to complete the project despite repeated promises and budgetary provisions.
“We strongly condemn the failure of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Edo State Government, and the Niger Delta Development Commission to complete this strategic road despite repeated promises and budgetary claims,” he stated.
The IYC chairman demanded the immediate remobilization of contractors to the site, public disclosure of funds released for the project, and a clear completion timeline not exceeding 12 months.
“Failure to act within a reasonable period will compel affected communities and stakeholders to adopt lawful democratic actions to press home their demands,” Igarama warned.
The rally, organized in honour of late Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, also focused on broader political and constitutional issues affecting the Ijaw people.
On the lingering ward delineation dispute in Warri Federal Constituency, Igarama warned that delays in the exercise continued to threaten democratic representation and peaceful coexistence in the area.
“The disenfranchisement of Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo constituents through electoral delays is unconstitutional and unacceptable,” he declared.
He called on INEC to “comply fully with the Supreme Court judgment and complete the delineation process through transparent stakeholder engagements and public hearings without further delay.”
Speaking on the demand for the creation of Toru-Ebe State, the IYC Western Zone chairman described the agitation as “a legitimate constitutional demand aimed at correcting decades of political fragmentation and administrative imbalance affecting the Ijaw people of the western Niger Delta.”
He appealed to the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee to prioritize the proposal during the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
The group also criticized the Edo State Government over the non-recognition of several Ijaw traditional rulers through the issuance of staffs of office.
“The refusal to officially recognize several legitimate Ijaw traditional rulers in Edo State through the issuance of staffs of office amounts to institutional discrimination and political exclusion,” he said.
According to him, traditional rulers remain “critical stakeholders in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community engagement, especially within oil-producing areas.”
The IYC further called for greater political unity among Ijaw leaders and stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that internal divisions had historically weakened the collective bargaining power of the Ijaw nation.
“A divided Ijaw nation weakens collective bargaining power and undermines the struggle for resource justice, infrastructural development, environmental remediation, and political inclusion,” Igarama stated.
“The time has come for strategic coordination and collective engagement on all issues affecting the Niger Delta.”
He maintained that the demands raised by the group were constitutional and legitimate.
“These issues are not requests for favour. They are obligations under the Nigerian Constitution and the social contract between the state and oil-producing communities,” he added.
“The Ijaw people are not second-class citizens in Nigeria. Our communities contribute immensely to the economic survival of this nation and deserve fairness, development, political inclusion, and respect.”
Igarama concluded by stating that “the spirit of Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro remains alive in the collective resolve of the Ijaw people to defend justice, equity, and the future of coming generations.”
The 58th Boro Day Rally attracted youth groups, community leaders, women organizations, and stakeholders from various Ijaw communities across Edo State and the western Niger Delta.
