Assa Ohaji town laments neglect, begs for social amenities, oil companies intervention

The leadership of Assa autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area Imo have appealed to the state government and oil companies operating in their area to embrace the development of their host community as part of its corporate social responsibility for a harmonious relationship.
The appeal was made when the community leaders paid a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rubby Emele, in her office, in Owerri, on Friday.
Addressing the Commissioner, the Town Union President General, Reward Evans, who led the delegation on the visit, said the people are suffering and in dire need of development, having been intentionally neglected by government and oil multinational companies despite the rich oil resources and revenue being harnessed from their land.
The President General alleged since the creation of the world that their people have never shouted ‘Up NEPA’ despite being surrounded by multi-million oil companies that only specialize in reaping off the mineral resources given to them by nature without paying recourse to the plights of the people who bear the consequences of their industrial activities.
His words:” You can’t even believe that the road leading to their operational base is impassable, our pregnant women often die on the road because of its deplorable condition before they can get to the hospital in the state capital because the community lacks nearby quality and affordable hospitals.
”We urge the government to urgently intervene and do the needful to address the pressing humanitarian challenges facing our people”
The town union, however, commended Rubby Emele for the leadership qualities she exhibits, especially in the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
A member of the delegation, the Secretary General of Assa Town Union also former President of the National Congress of Ohaji Youths, NACOY, Emmanuel C. Ugorji, complained that lack of synergy in the leadership of the community amidst balkanization has been identified as one of the major factors working against the development of the community as he maintained that the intervention of the Commissioner using Assa as a case study will encourage traditional rulers in the state to lead rightly.
He called for a synergy between the State Government and Assa community.
Speaking also, the Youth President of Assa, Chidi Egezul, thanked Emele for her leadership roles in the state, which he observed attracted awards from different communities across the state, even as he begged her to come to Assa to see the nature of the community by herself.
Lending his voice, the Legal Adviser of Assa Town Union, Eric Nwanom, added that one of the reasons for the Courtesy Visit was to formally establish strong synergy with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Community.
“We consciously ask for your partnership for the development of our community”.
Stressing the sheer marginalization of the community, the Town Union Women Leader Mrs. Violet N. Assor, lamented that the suffering of the people of Assa, particularly women, is alarming.
“Women are mostly affected by maternal deaths. Our people have been highly marginalized coupled with neglect from the Government and Oil Companies operating in our area, but with your aptness, kindness and rapt attention, we rationally seek quick government intervention as the community consciously leans on the 3R Government being championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma to effect a positive change” she stressed.
Uzoma Dominic Onyenaju, Vice President and Public Relations Officer, Duke-Bright C. C. Enyia affirmed that the people will have full joy when their community is socially and economically developed.
In her response, Mrs Rubby Emele, congratulated the Executive of Assa Town Union on their appointment, assuring them that the government will do the needful to ensure that the area sees more development, urging them to work in league with their traditional ruler to maintain peace and security, thanking the Governor for the opportunity given to her to serve the state in that capacity.
Assa Ohaji town laments neglect, begs for social amenities, oil companies intervention