Delta State at 35: Egbema Still Battling Underdevelopment — Mingo Urges Governor Oborevwori to Expand More Agenda to Egbema Kingdom

By KingdomVoice

As Delta State marks 35 years since its creation from the former Bendel State, Niger Delta youth leader and KingdomVoice advocate, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, has congratulated the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis  Oborevwori, on the historic anniversary.

In his goodwill message, Comrade Mingo commended successive administrations and political leaders who have contributed to the growth and development of Delta State, while urging the present administration to take a fresh look at communities and kingdoms that, despite their enormous contributions to the state, continue to experience serious developmental deficits.

According to him, Egbema Kingdom remains one of the glaring examples of underdevelopment in Delta State after 35 years of state creation.

He noted that while Delta State has recorded significant progress in several sectors, the development story of Egbema Kingdom has remained largely disappointing, particularly when compared with the kingdom's strategic importance, natural resources and contributions to the state's economy.

Thirty-five years after the creation of Delta State, Egbema Kingdom cannot point to the level of meaningful and sustainable development that should ordinarily correspond with its contributions to the state,” Mingo said.

He stressed that Egbema Kingdom, particularly the Ijaw communities in Warri North Local Government Area, has over the years faced what he described as political neglect, marginalisation and inadequate attention to critical infrastructure.

Mingo recalled that the administration of former Governor Dr. Sen. Arthur ifeanyi Okowa demonstrated a greater sense of fairness and political inclusion toward communities in Warri North, saying that such examples should encourage the present administration to deepen its development footprint across the area.

He appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to use the remaining years of his administration to create a deliberate and comprehensive development agenda for Egbema Kingdom, rather than allowing the kingdom's developmental challenges to remain unresolved.

Comrade Mingo said the government should prioritise the rehabilitation and construction of roads, electricity, healthcare facilities, schools, water projects, youth empowerment programmes and other basic infrastructure across Egbema communities.

He particularly called for stronger government intervention in communities affected by the activities of oil and gas companies, arguing that host communities should not remain impoverished while contributing significantly to the economic strength of the state.

He said: Egbema is not asking for favour. We are asking for fairness, equity and development. Our people have contributed immensely to the economic survival of Delta State, and we believe development must also reach the communities producing and hosting these resources.

The Niger Delta youth leader further urged elected representatives from Warri North to intensify their advocacy for Egbema and other underserved communities, stressing that political representation must translate into visible projects and measurable improvements in the lives of the people.

35 Years Should Be a Moment for Reflection Mingo described the 35th anniversary of Delta State as an opportunity for government and political leaders to reflect on areas where the state has succeeded and those where urgent corrective action is required.

He maintained that the true meaning of development should be measured not only by projects in major urban centres but also by the quality of life available to people in rural and riverine communities.

He therefore urged Governor Oborevwori to make Egbema Kingdom a stronger component of his administration's development agenda and ensure that the people of the kingdom experience a new era of inclusion.

While congratulating Governor Oborevwori, the people and government of Delta State on the anniversary, Comrade Mingo expressed optimism that the state could achieve even greater progress when development, political inclusion and equitable distribution of government projects become stronger priorities.

He concluded by calling on the Delta State Government to write a new chapter for Egbema Kingdom one in which the kingdom's contributions to the state are matched by visible government presence, infrastructure, opportunities and sustainable development.

“At 35, Delta State must look beyond celebration. This is the time to correct the imbalances, bridge the development gaps and ensure that no kingdom or community is left behind,” Mingo added.