By Francis Ewherido
“Light up” in the heading is figurative because the Okuama IDP Camp in Ewu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, was not in pitch darkness. They have a generating set and solar providing electricity. But during the week the Niger Delta Development Commission stormed the camp the way no individual and no corporate body has done since the IDP camp was officially opened on May 27 this year. Beyond the foodstuff, relief materials and money that the Delta State Government provided at the beginning and still provides periodically to the camp, individuals and corporate organisations have been sending foodstuff, relief materials and cash donations. I have been very impressed, though I refrained from mentioning names of individuals and corporate organisations bringing these items and making donations because they are many and I don’t want to run the risk of leaving out any name. Moreover, some individuals and corporate organisations want to remain anonymous. But the NDDC show was on a different level; it was a tsunami.
Let me digress briefly to state that I have not been very satisfied with the performance of the NDDC in the Niger Delta. I knew when the whole idea of NDDC came up because a friend and big brother in the corridors of power at the federal level told me in 1999. I also remember that when the discussion on where to put the headquarters started, I wrote a newspaper article rooting for Yenagoa. If I still remember, the title of the article was “Let Yenagoa Be.” My late brother, Sen. Akpor Pius Ewherido, who was then the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, read the article. When we met, he challenged me: “Why Yenagoa? Why not Warri?” My thinking then was that Yenagoa was still largely underdeveloped and siting the NDDC headquarters there would accelerate its development.
Anyway, in terms of infrastructural development, I feel that the Niger Delta would have been transformed by now with the establishment of the NDDC, but the NDDC has not met my expectations. There are too many shoddy jobs and abandoned projects, amongst others. But NDDC is not only about infrastructure; human capacity building and development are parts of its mandate. I cannot deny that they have done a lot in this area because I know some beneficiaries whose lives and that of their families have been transformed via intervention of NDDC through scholarships, trainings, sponsorships, etc. Still, more can still be done in this area.
Anyway, today is not about an x-ray of the performance of the NDDC over the years. During the week, NDDC stormed the Okuama IDP camp in Ewu with five trailers filled with about 71 items amongst which are 400 bags of 25kg rice, 150 bags of 100kg garri, 121 bags of 25kg beans, 400 cartons of noodles, 90 tins of three-litre vegetable oil, 210 mattresses, 22 Canoes, 180 shovels, 75 wheelbarrows, five bicycles, nine cassava grinding machines, 200 rainboots, 400 nylon mats, eight sewing machines, 100 basins, 19 herbicide spray cans, 60 cartons of milo, 60 cartons milk, 400 cartons with each containing 20 tablets of soap, 215 blankets and a large quantity of drugs, amongst other items. When I saw the list of the items, I knew NDDC did not just wake up to do the presentation. A lot of thinking went into the immediate needs of Okuama people and what they will need when they get back to Okuama. The foodstuff and soaps, for instance, are for immediate and future use, while the canoes, cassava grinding machines, rainboots, sewing machines, etc., will become useful when they get back to Okuama. Honestly, the quantity of items was beyond my expectation.
I believe the Urhobo saying that when a man comes back from his own farm, you greet him “doooo” (welcome back) not because you are obliged to, but it is just courtesy. Sometimes, “doooo” can also mean an expression of gratitude. In this regard, wekobiruo (you have done well) Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, the Commissioner representing Delta State NDDC. Igbuya ensured that all the five trailers arrived at the camp intact and waited for over four hours, ensuring that the right thing was done. To his other team members, I say “doooo” and “avwakobiruo” (you all have done well in Ewu dialect). Also, doooo and avwakobiruo to the leaders of Okuama, who helped in identifying the needs of the community to NDDC. This helped the NDDC, I guess, in their choice of relief materials which were very apt.
The IDP camp committee did a wonderful job. I will continue to praise them. It is not easy to manage so many children and rural women. I thank the Chairman, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, the Camp Commandant, Deacon Austine Ohwofaria, Mr. Henry Ediyo and other members of the camp committee for their dedication and sacrifices. Finally, I thank the Governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for initiating and setting up the IDP camp. I know what happened first hand and through Ogbodo. Ogbodo always talked about the governor’s support, understanding and encouragement. We cannot disclose everything here, but as an Ewu son, I say God bless you all.
The IDP camp is closing soon. The people need to go back home. The planting season is about to begin and they need to prepare. They need to go back and start adjusting to their usual daily routines. Many of them have put on weight and look quite robust, but an IDP camp is what it is; a temporary refuge. There is still a lot of work to be done in rebuilding Okuama. The contractors handling the various projects are behind schedule, but Okuama people need to go home and keep an eye on them to ensure the projects are completed as soon as possible. The government gave Okuama people the freedom to choose their preferred contractors, so they should take responsibility. There are other projects that need to be done. The chairman of the IDP camp committee, Ughelli South LGA, as mandated by the state government, and others involved will hopefully ensure that these projects continue and get completed.
As the Okuama people prepare to go home, I want to reiterate what I said previously that the Delta State Government needs to demarcate the boundary between Okuama and Okoloba. Once demarcated, the boundary should be respected by both parties. Both communities also signed a peace accord a few months ago. They have copies of the agreement and the details. Community leaders should drum it into the heads and hearts of people in both communities. They should stick to the agreement. Skirmishes had been on before the unfortunate incident of March 14 that led to the sacking of Okuama community. It is important that thunder does not strike in the same place again. Let peace reign.
The aggrieved Okuama Community has sued the federal government and the army. That is the beauty of democracy. Let Okuama Community have its day in court to pursue reparations.
