The youths of Oko Ogbele and Oko Anala, agrarian communities in Oshimili South local government area of Delta state, on Tuesday, 6 December, 2022, protested over the bad state of their roads. Both communities are usually cut off during rainy season due to over flooding of River Niger.
The youths took advantage of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in their wards, to protest over the near unmotorable state of their roads, setting barricades and demanding explanations from the political leaders.
Prince Ned Nwoko, the Delta North PDP senatorial candidate, whose campaign train berthed in the two communities on Tuesday, said the youths’ protest was justifiable. He, however, assured that the road would be constructed, pointing out that Oko is a very good tourism destination because of its geographical location near the river.
He said, “I feel sorry for the state of this road. It is terrible! Coming here today is an eye opener for me. I never thought there is still a road as bad as this in Anioma land. When I saw you protesting, I know you’re justified. But I want to let you know that the road would be done. Not by state government but by either NDDC or by Federal Ministry of Works, so you can have a good road once and for all. If you know me, then you know I don’t give empty promises. This road must be done.
“I want you to know that the place you are is a very beautiful location. In civilized societies, tourism would strive here. The vegetation is beautiful, the land is green. However, I also saw the devastation caused by the flood. The marks on the houses that were submerged in flood are very visible. I saw it clearly.
“I know that most of you are farmers, but, I assure you that after working on the roads, and working on other things we plan on doing here, it will develop tourism. There would be hotels and other businesses to do here, to take care of tourists.
“These are my plans, but I also want to hear what you want. I want to be able to represent you, the youths, very well in the senate.”
Nwoko added that he is not going to the senate just to answer senator, but he is going to fully represent the people, especially the youths, to be a productive senator for the people of Anioma.
