By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—OIL and Gas Producing Host Communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint the next commissioner representing the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, from the area in the interest of justice, fair play and equity.

The communities, Obozogbe-Nugu, Ikobi, Oben and Iguelaba, OBIKOBIG, in an open letter to the President by Mr. Victor Enoma (Public Relations Officer)  and six others, decried the continuous marginalization and sidelining of the area in terms of appointment since the establishment of NDDC despite its production of billions of light sweet crude and gas as part of its contribution to the Nigerian economy.

They cited the largest gas reserve in West Africa in Oben and the over 95 operational oil wells in the area which have been in operation since 1972,  producing millions of barreels of  crude oil, adding that the strategic  importance of the area to the economy of the nation cannot be over emphasised.

The communities said that there are no good roads, water and light in their area despite their huge contribution to the economic development of the country.