Niger Delta development: Riverine communities seek dialogue to improve living conditions

Residents of oil-producing riverine communities in the Niger Delta have called for sustained dialogue and peaceful engagement with government authorities as a means of addressing years of neglect, poor infrastructure and underdevelopment in the region.

The call was made by the Creek to Creek Movement in a statement jointly issued by its Director-General, High Chief Mike Ayapaye; Deputy Director-General, Mr. Okiemute Onovughakpor; and National Woman Leader, Vivian Osifoh.

The group said rather than resorting to confrontation or violence, stakeholders in the region should embrace constructive dialogue, peaceful engagement and evidence-based advocacy to draw the government’s attention to the challenges confronting riverine communities.

According to the movement, evidence-based advocacy and regular engagement with relevant government authorities would help highlight critical gaps in infrastructure and basic social services affecting residents of oil-producing communities.

The group noted that despite the significant contribution of the Niger Delta to Nigeria’s oil wealth, many riverine communities continue to struggle with inadequate access to basic amenities, including clean drinking water, functional healthcare facilities, electricity and reliable road infrastructure.

The Creek to Creek Movement said it was therefore advocating for a more structured approach to community development, centred on documenting the needs and challenges of affected communities and presenting verified reports to government authorities and relevant development agencies.

Speaking during a coordinators’ meeting in the region, Ayapaye and other officials of the movement maintained that the era of armed agitation should give way to constructive dialogue, peaceful advocacy and sustained engagement with government.

They stressed that the objective of the movement was not confrontation, but to ensure that the realities and development needs of riverine communities were properly documented, brought to the attention of the government and ultimately translated into tangible development projects.

The stakeholders urged governments at all levels to give greater attention to oil-producing riverine communities and establish stronger mechanisms for identifying and addressing their developmental needs.

They also called on community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders to support peaceful advocacy and dialogue as a sustainable pathway to improving living conditions and promoting development across the Niger Delta.