The youth body of Udu Kingdom, Ighelle r’Udu, has decried what it described as longstanding neglect of Udu Local Government Area by successive administrations in Delta State, despite the area’s significant contributions to the state and national economy.
Speaking during a press conference held at the ancestral and political headquarters of Udu LGA, Otor-Udu, the President of Ighelle r’Udu, Comrade Igho Onobrayekpeya, stated, “We also wish to state categorically that new infrastructures such as roads, healthcare facilities and tertiary institutions are needed in the Local Government Area due to its current vast population and expansion of capital development.
“For the umpteenth time, there have been numerous calls to some very strategic roads in Udu and we again use this medium to reiterate that the following roads and facilities which have become impassable need very urgent attention; the failed parts of the Udu-ECN road, particularly the points at Ovwian Secondary School, John Jeff, Daddy bakery and Ubogo market, the Otor-Udu – Owhrode-Orhuwhorun road, as well as upgrade of the Udu General Hospital, Otor-Udu,” Comrade Onobrayekpeya added.
The youth leader noted that the Udu Express Junction to ECN Road serves as a vital artery connecting several communities and local government areas, further emphasizing the strategic importance of its rehabilitation.
The President of Ighelle r’Udu, however, raised a passionate appeal for the suspension of planned mass protests over the poor state of infrastructure in Udu Local Government Area.
Comrade Onobrayekpeya said, “However, as the leadership of the youth body in the kingdom, after diligent and exhaustive consultation with the various leadership structures of Udu, especially political and traditional, we wish to appeal to our dear brothers and sisters that there will be no need for the mobilization of the mass protests at the moment as our leaders have shared in the concerns and have promised to initiate engagement with His Excellency, the Governor, Right Honourable Elder Sheriff O.F. Oborevwori about the issue and will engage us with feedbacks.
“We cannot but give them the benefit of the doubt as we believe that they also share in the concerns raised, so we urge all of us to keep our fingers crossed and wait to get feedback from leaders,” he appealed.
Comrade Onobrayekpeya, expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for his commitment to completing the long-abandoned Udu Harbour Market 26 years after its initial launch, describing the move as a sign of the governor’s responsiveness to local concerns.
“We are hopeful that with this renewed engagement, our collective voices will not go unheard. The population boom in Udu has overstretched our infrastructure and urgent steps must be taken,” he concluded.
