By Gabriel Choba

This latest attempt appears to be a temporary fix aimed more at appeasing the rising discontent among residents rather than a genuine commitment to long-term solutions. The people of Udu have grown weary of promises unfulfilled and inadequate measures from both current and past administrations of the Delta State Government, particularly under Governor Sherriff Oborevwori.

It is concerning that similar remedial efforts were undertaken by the Udu Council Boss in 2024, which, sadly, could not withstand the test of time and rainfall. Now, we find ourselves back where we started, and it is unacceptable for the people of Udu. The patchwork solutions do not resolve the underlying issues of neglect and infrastructure decay in our locality.

Despite contributing significantly to the state’s oil revenue, the citizens of Udu feel marginalized and overlooked. We have not asked to be treated as beggars in our own home; rather, we seek equitable recognition and investment in our community’s development.

The absence of meaningful infrastructure, such as fully functional roads, bridges, street lights and other essential services, has fueled our determination to hold both the local and state governments accountable.

The people of Udu will continue to voice their concerns and demand action until our roads are properly constructed, our bridges rebuilt, and our needs addressed. It is essential for the governing bodies to realize that we do not take our votes lightly, and we refuse to be silenced by fleeting gestures of goodwill ahead of elections.

If past strategies involved hastily executed substandard projects aimed to curry favor rather than genuinely improve our circumstances, the same tactics will not work this time.

We urge the Delta State government to respond to our plight with sincerity and tangible action. The Udu community deserves better, and we will persist in our efforts to ensure that our voices are heard and our rights are acknowledged.