The Leadership of the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, Eastern Zone, has decried what it described as total neglect, underdevelopment, lack of empowerment, and untold hardship they have been deliberately subjected to by oil exploration companies and the Rivers State Government.

The stakeholders also lamented the deplorable state of the community roads and the lack of provision of basic infrastructure by government interventionist agencies.

Speaking during the MOSIEND Half Hour Radio Programme, on Rhythm built to help amplify the everyday challenges facing the Ijaw communities in the Eastern Zone, Comrade, Eli Eli Stanley, Former Chairman Eastern Zone, MOSIEND representing Agwutobolo clan, and Comrade Emilia Erasmus, Treasurer Eastern Zone, Ikurru Clan in Andoni LGA, Rivers State, made their grievances known.

In their separate views, they accused the government, the multinationals, NDDC, the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, of continually promoting unfavorable policies and programmes to undermine the development of the community.

Comrade Eli Eli Stanley stated that the communities under their clans have been totally shut out of government presence, making life unbearable for the people.

He noted that the women are mostly hit by this hardship, adding that human capacity building that would have helped their survival is hardly seen.

“NDDC hasn’t done anything meaningful for our people, there’s no such thing concerning development, there’s no power supply in our communities, we don’t have roads, we’re urging the government to come to our aids”

We are mainly fishermen, and that is our primary means of survival, but we lack provisions for basic amenities. The provision of a boat, fishing nets, and other things would have helped in providing food for our family and livelihood, but the reverse is the case. We are peace-loving people, and we deserve assistance from the government at all levels.

The Government Intervention Agencies should have a representative office at the local government level for effective engagement and responses, so we can have a feel of the government.

Comrade Emilia, also lamented the unavailability of sources for portable drinking water and Schools, adding that the only school we have is a dilapidated building.

“No Portable drinking water, no power supply, the whole community is a shadow of itself, despite hosting an oil company”

There are no health facilities in our communities; if we face health challenges, we have to travel far to other Local Government Areas to access services.

“We need health facilities, fishing is our only source of livelihood, so the government should provide us with boats, fishing nets, portable drinking water, and Power supply.