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Elders from Egbema, Imo State on Friday held serious protests over alleged neglect of their community by an oil company, demanding 50% of the ₦70 billion naira oil tax money reportedly paid by oil companies operating in Imo State from Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The elders, who were enraged by the underdevelopment and lack of basic infrastructure, especially the deplorable state of Egbema roads in Imo State, called on the government of Imo State to reconsider its decision as it relates to the use of the ₦70 billion for the construction of the roads in Imo State.
The Eastern Updates recall that the Federal Government brought to Imo State 70 Billion (Seventy Billion Naira) as share of the taxes paid by the oil companies operating in the state.
Read Also: Oil Bunkering, Pipeline Vandalism In Imo Must Stop — Uzodinma
These oil firms mostly work in the Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas.
Israel O. Onyeoyibo, the national president of the NUJ, responded to the development by saying that, aside from the Sam Mbakwe administration, which did well to improve the Avu-Egbema road due to the presence of Adapalm Nigeria Ltd., no other government has since given the roads leading from Owerri-Egbema even the slightest thought.
They said the situation Egbema finds itself in Imo State from 1976 when the state was carved out from East Central State till date has been tales of woes.
The National President who spoke on behalf of the oil rich community, said the Avu-Adapalm-Etekwuru road has been in a deplorable condition and no vehicle plies that road to Egbema.
He said recently, the youth from Owerri West took to the street and stopped vehicular movement along Owerri Port Harcourt road and that led the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC in collaboration with Imo State Government to award and commence the construction of Avu-Adapalm-Etekwuru road in a fire brigade manner.
