Members of the Gbaramatu Communities Chairmen Forum have written to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The members made a number of demands including the construction of the Export Processing Zone, Gas Revolution Industrial Park, Ogidigben and Gbaramatu Seaport component of the projects.
In a letter signed by Demebi Johnbull and 10 others, they said: “The benefits of these projects are enormous as they can absorb the teeming restive youths and further boost economic activities of the communities, Delta state and the federation”
“The President should direct the multinational Oil Companies to carry out their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, adopt environmental best practice, comply with the Local Content Policy of the Federal Government and give employment to people from the host communities, as our people have been shortchanged for too long in the scheme of things, ” they added.
They lamented that the region was an eyesore in spite of the level of oil production recorded there.
“Gbaramatu kingdom is an eyesore in terms of underdevelopment and environmental degradation.
“Gbaramatu kingdom is deliberately deprived and neglected, and we urge you to link us to the national grid.”
However, the group assured President Buhari of their support towards ending the current bombings in the region.
The group said: “We affirm that we are ready and willing to cooperate and collaborate with the federal government to bring an enduring solution to the incessant pipelines vandalism an insurgency in the kingdom.”
“We assure you of our unalloyed support to ensure that your administration records sterling achievements, anchored on your administration’s show of sincerity in dealing with the people and adopt participatory governance in which democracy is rooted to give the people a sense of belonging,”