he Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to the Imo State Governor, Kingsley Uju, has attributed the marginalisation and under- development of the oil bearing communities in the state to poor representation at the national level.
The governor’s aide, who is aspiring for the Ohaji-Egbema-Oguta-Oru West Federal Constituency, lamented that despite the huge deposit of natural resources in the area, it is still bedevilled by abject poverty and infrastructure decay.
According to him, his decision to join the race for the Federal Constituency was informed by the need to effectively harness the potentials inherent in the communities and attract the needed Federal presence to develop and empower the youths.
Uju, who is pursuing his ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed that previous representatives of the oil-rich constituency failed to articulate its challenges but were rather interested in the pursuit of pecuniary gains.
He said: “Ohaji-Egbema has the highest deposit of gas in the country; about eight oil companies operate here, but this does in any way reflect on the poverty index of the people or tell on the state of infrastructure.
“So I am seeking to represent the people of Ohaji-Egbema-Oguta-Oru West Federal Constituency because of the need to change the narratives and ensure that what is due the people gets to them. I will also pursue and attract Federal projects that will transform the Constituency.”
Uju who addressed reporters in his Ohaji-Egbema country home, was worried over the marginalisation of the oil producing communities by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He said: “The idea of renovating primary schools and health infrastructures by NDDC as projects in the oil bearing communities in Imo State will no longer be tolerated. There should be tangible projects that can impact the people’s lives. NDDC should rather pursue the industrialisation of the area instead.
“We have been marginalised; the three councils of Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema and Oru have not had a fair deal, it is true that other communities in the state will benefit as well, but 70 per cent should be set aside for the oil producing communities in line with the NDDC Act”.
The aspirant, however, hailed the government for stepping up efforts to develop the communities and restoring peace through youth empowerment.