By Emma Amaize

WARRI—RIVERINE communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to complete all abandoned NDDC projects in the kingdom.

Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Mr Sheriff Mulade, who made the call in Warri, said: “NDDC has abandoned many sand filling/reclamation projects in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“The commission abandoned the projects since the beginning of the Tompolo saga. These projects are community developmental projects, therefore, cannot be linked to their political witch-hunt for Tompolo.”

“It will interest the public to note that Gbaramatu communities are major contributors to NDDC allocation, they are host to over eight flow stations with production capacity of about 700, 000 barrels per day, therefore, deserves special priority and attention,” he said.

Mulade listed some of the abandoned projects to include; Kokodiagbene sand filling/ reclamation projects, Benikrukru sand filling/ reclamation projects, Kurutie sand filling/ reclamation project, Okerenkoko sand filling/reclamation project and Okpelama/Tebujoj sand filling/reclamation projects.”

“We lost of our economic survival rights, we are daily polluted as spills emanate from continuous spillage and gas exploitation and we are totally neglected by all level of governments and developmental agencies.

“It is unfortunate to observe in Nigeria that the amount of violence you perpetrate will determine your level of recognition, Kokodiagbene’s peaceful disposition has earned her regret in the oil and gas host communities. Kokodiagbene has no single federal or state projects despite our contribution to national and state economy,” he added.