Seven months after being displaced, Okuama residents return home to face abandoned projects and deplorable conditions. Discover their plight and the urgent call for government action.
Seven months after relocating to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ewu, residents of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, returned home on January 1st only to face despair. Their once-thriving community remains in ruins with no signs of promised rehabilitation projects being completed.
The residents, who had been displaced after a military operation in their community following the death of some soldiers last year, expressed disappointment as they returned to meet a shattered home. The state government had earlier assured the rebuilding of key structures, including schools, health centers, and town halls, but progress on these promises has been stagnant.
Okuama Residents’ Harrowing Plight
Unfulfilled Promises by the Government
The Delta State Government, under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, had pledged a swift rebuilding of Okuama to restore normalcy. While inaugurating the Okuama IDP Committee, Governor Oborevwori assured that the community would be rehabilitated within three months. However, residents returned to incomplete projects and an absence of contractors on-site.
Devastated Community
On arrival, returnees found themselves homeless, with makeshift wooden and thatched huts serving as temporary shelters. Children were out of school, forced into farming and fishing to survive. Parents lamented their inability to provide education or a safe environment for their children.
“We returned with high hopes, but everything here remains the same. Our children have no schools to attend, and we have no homes to live in,” lamented a local resident, Aaron Ighorhiohwunu.
Government Projects: Delayed and Abandoned
Despite the initial promises, the primary school, health center, and town hall projects are far from completion. Contractors have abandoned the sites, leaving residents stranded. Okuama youths, women, and elders have voiced their frustration, calling on the government to expedite the rehabilitation process.
Hon. Jacob Akemor, a former councilor, expressed dismay at the state of affairs:
“We feel utterly disappointed. Seven months after leaving our community for the camp, the promised infrastructure remains uncompleted.”
Heartbreaking Living Conditions
Residents are living in makeshift structures, with no access to clean water or healthcare. Fishing, farming, and gathering in bushes have become their daily routine, exposing them to harsh conditions. Some residents, like Mrs. Queen Oghenehwosa, have taken refuge in the bush due to the lack of shelter in Okuama.
“We were promised a rebuilt community, but nothing has been done. We’ve been left to fend for ourselves in deplorable conditions,” she lamented.
Children, eager to return to school, have been left disillusioned. Young Rukevwere, a JSS 2 student, shared:
“I want to go to school, not fish. This is not the life I want.”
Call for Urgent Action
The Okuama Community Development Committee (CDC) and other stakeholders are appealing to the Delta State Government, Urhobo leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene. Mr. Emmanuel Okrika, CDC Chairman, stated:
“Our people are living in hellish conditions. We need urgent intervention to rebuild our homes, schools, and health centers.”
Former Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, has also taken a proactive approach, calling for donations of building materials to kickstart community reconstruction.
What Needs to Be Done
- Completion of Ongoing Projects: The state government must ensure contractors return to complete the primary school, health center, and town hall.
- Urgent Humanitarian Aid: Provision of temporary shelters, clean water, and medical facilities is essential.
- Community-Led Initiatives: Local leaders are encouraged to mobilize resources to fast-track rebuilding efforts.
- Educational Support: Immediate measures should be taken to get Okuama children back to school.
Conclusion
Okuama residents have suffered immensely, from displacement to shattered hopes of rehabilitation. The government must act decisively to alleviate their plight and fulfill its promises. Restoring Okuama is not just about rebuilding structures but also about restoring hope, dignity, and a future for its people.
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