EGBEMA KINGDOM RATTLED, OVER GOVERNOR NYESOM WIKE’S NEGLIGENCE OF HER PEOPLE: SAY’S (E.M.M)

It becomes a trend whenever a section of river state coughs owning definitely to some slight against her by the state government. Some of the slight could range from: Lack of Recognition by a Government which they overwhelmingly helped into power, when they are exploited and neglected by some foreign oil extracting companies which they play host to. Lack of Basic Amenities, among other sacrosanct needs and issues common among embittered people in River State. The wondrous question however to ask, would be: When will the Egbema situation become a trend? When will the voice of the marginalized, abandoned and impoverished and yet resourceful Kingdom be heard? When will her plight as the world most forgotten and unknown status be changed for good? When will Egbema Kingdom (one of the three resourceful kingdom that makes up ONELGA, the second most resource endowed and oil-rich local Government  of Nigeria) become recognized in her own state where, arguably she accounts for 15% of the total revenue for the state and as a local Government (ONELGA) Some 18% of Nigeria’s total income. Well, your guess is good as mine.

The Egbema people of River state prior to 2015 Gubernatorial election welcomed and showered the wike-led Government with unflinching support. This was reflected in the massive turnout of votes recorded in the favour of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Abinito, the kingdom oncemore believed in the juicy promises of what would be a usual and common political rhetoric common among politicians.

Apparently, the people are amazed and too dump for speech as they have been relegated to the background in the scheme of things in river state. The Gov. Wike led state government has made numerous appointments, setting up committes and the likes for the purposes of delivery a framework that will take the state to the next level. Sadly as we have noted, these appointments and all other constituting bodies established geared at developing Rivers State dose not genuflect his promises to the Egbema people.

We can recall that the Wike-led state government has within its Executive council more than 36 members, with 26 commissioners, a chief of staff, secretary to the state government, head of service and among others. But none came from the resourceful oil-rich kingdom “EGBEMA” or do we talk of the neglect the people of Egbema have been subjected to? It is on record that His Excellency has 38 Special Advisers and luckily we were remembered with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Due process/project costing. But this is not enough. We decry the undeserved intimidation and neglect melted on us by the state Government and local Government when it comes to political appointments and representation.  The people of egbema wish to break this long intimidated silence by calling on the State Governor His Excellency for equal representation at all level of governance in Nigeria and River State at most.

We voted for Governor wike because we believed on his promises to us, and also have much confidence that he is not a sectional kind of leader whom will after wining election abandon his people.

The Governor is trying and we the egbema people will not stop supporting him once it is for the development and growth of the state. If we are not mistaken, Governor Nyesom Wike is the best performing Governor of the year. But sadly as we have noted, the EGBEMA KINGDOM have no full evidence of His Excellency’s presence in her land.

We present our grievance on your neglect and non-inclusion for the following appointments, committees and projects.  

1.  COMMISSIONERS SLOT                                                           (none).

2.   SPECIAL ADVISARY SLOT.                             (Not a deserved position)

3.   THE RELEGATION OF EGBEMA PEOPLE IN THE POLITIICS OF HER STATE.  Aside the position for an S.A to the Governor on Due Process/Project costing and a membership position for the Rivers state University of Science & Technology Governing council, know other Egbema son nor Daughter holds any lucrative position in the Country, State and Local Government. 

4.  THE NON-INCLUSION OF EGBEMA KINGDOM FOR ANY STATE PROJECT. We can still remember that you celebrated your one year in office with about 71 projects on the following sectors (Agriculture, Roads/briges,Transport   infrastructure, Housing, Security, Education, Power and Sports/Recreation) but none was carried out in  EGBEMA KINGDOM leaving  the area development  hungry.

5.  THE NON-INCLUSION OF ANY neither EGBEMA SON NOR DAUGHTER IN YOUR RECENTLY FORMED 151 MEMBERS COMMITTEE FOR RIVER STATE GOLDENN JUBLIEE CELEBRATION.

6.  THE NON-INCLUSION OF AN EGBEMA MAN IN YOUR RECENTLY FORMED COMMITTEE FOR RIVERS TRANSPORT COMPANY (RTC)

7.  THE NON-INCLUSION OF OKWUZI-EGBEMA GENERAL HOSPITAL IN YOUR 2^ND NOVEMBER, 2016 LIST OF 10 HOSPITALS FOR REHABILITATION IN THE STATE. Knowing fully that the OKWUZI GENERAL HOSPITAL is long due for rehabilitation.

8.  THE RELUCTANT ATTITUDE SHOWN BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN RESOLVING THE ISSUES OF THE EGBEMA MONARCH AND RECOGNISING IT AS A FIRST CLASS STOOL. (NZE-OBI OF EGBEMA)

9.  THE ABONDONMENT OF THE STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AMENITIES AND INFRASTERUCTURES IN EGBEMA LAND.

10.      THE NON INVITATION OF AN EGBEMA MONARCH TO THE RIVERS STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS MEETING WITH THE GOV. EARLIER NOVEMBER, 2016. This is an indication that we are not recognized in our state.

11.      THE NON-INCLUSION OF EGBEMA KINGDOM IN YOUR TUESDAY 22^ND OF NOVEMBER 2016 LISTS OF PROJECTS TO BE FLAGGED-OFF.  Which you listed the following: The construction of olakwor-afara-Nihi Road. To be flagged-off Wednesdays 23^rd November, 2016. Others are the flag-off of the rehabilitation of Okrika Internal Road in Okochiri, Okrika on thrusday24th November,2016. While the reconstruction of the Igbo-Etche Road, will be on the Friday 25^th, of November,2016. Your Excellency further listed other roads to be flagged-off: Chokocho-umuechem-Ozuzu Road, on the 2^nd of December, and the flag-off of the completion of the Abandoned  Andoni-opobo-Nkoro Unity Road on the Tuesday, 6^th of December. Further expressing commitment to round-off the series of project flag-off activities with the reconstruction of the Elimgbu-Atali Road, on Friday 9^th December 2016.  Without the inclusion of a single project In EGBEMA KINGDOM. Your Excellency Sir, we beg to ask, Is EGBEMA KINGDOM Know longer part of River State?   

  

        These and many others too numerous to mention, are our grievance to the state Government. However, we wish to say “that our Kingdom’s silence and nonviolent participation in the state should not be used as a reason to continually neglect and abandon us”. The people of Egbema have vowed to continually support the Governor in any way he needs our help. While calling on him to always be a “collective leader” which we have known him for.

May God bless our Governor His Excellency and His Family.

LONGLIVE RIVER STATE,

LONGLIVE ONELGA, &

LONGLIVE EGBEMA KINGDOM.

Signed:

(Amb).I.E.KELLY

(CO-CORDINATOR & LEADER OF EGBEMA MASSIVE MOVEMENT)