By Douglas Princemola
The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Movement (NDPYM) has appealed to the Imo State Government and relevant political authorities to urgently intervene in the worsening state of infrastructure and governance challenges affecting Agwa and Ejemekwuru communities in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
The appeal was made on Saturday during a press conference held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, where the group raised serious concerns over what it described as long-standing neglect of the communities in the areas of road infrastructure, education, and political representation.
Speaking at the briefing, the Coordinator of the group, Prince Maduba Chukwudi Francis (Olu-Imo), said the situation in the Agwa/Ejemekwuru axis has reached a critical point that requires immediate government attention. He explained that the road linking the communities, known as the Agwa/Ejemekwuru Road, has deteriorated to a very poor condition, making movement extremely difficult for residents and visitors.
According to him, the road, which serves as a major link between several communities in Oguta LGA, has become almost impassable in many sections. He noted that transportation of goods and services has been heavily affected, while commuters now face long travel times, increased transport fares, and frequent vehicle breakdowns due to the bad road conditions.
He further explained that the poor state of the road has had a direct impact on the economic life of the people. Farmers are unable to easily transport their agricultural produce to nearby markets, traders suffer losses due to delayed delivery of goods, and small businesses are struggling to survive under the weight of rising transportation costs. He also pointed out that emergency situations are worsened, as patients and pregnant women often face delays in accessing healthcare facilities.
Prince Francis also drew attention to the state of education in the communities, describing it as deeply concerning. He stated that many primary and secondary schools in Agwa and Ejemekwuru are in poor physical condition, with dilapidated classrooms, inadequate learning materials, and overcrowded environments. He said these challenges have continued to affect the quality of education and limit the academic performance of students in the area.
He added that teachers and students are forced to operate under difficult conditions that are not conducive for effective learning, stressing that if urgent action is not taken, the future of children in the communities may be further endangered. He called for immediate government intervention to upgrade and rebuild school infrastructure to meet acceptable standards.
Beyond infrastructure and education, the group also raised concerns over what it described as political exclusion and lack of fair representation for the communities. Prince Francis alleged that despite their population and contributions, the Agwa and Ejemekwuru communities have not been adequately included in key political decisions and leadership positions within the state.
He stated that inclusive governance is essential for peace and development, adding that no community should be left behind in the distribution of political opportunities and responsibilities. According to him, fairness and equity must guide political arrangements in the state to ensure unity and stability.
In response to these challenges, the group made several demands aimed at addressing the situation. It called for the immediate commencement of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Agwa/Ejemekwuru Road, describing it as a critical infrastructure project that would restore economic activities and improve connectivity in the area.
The group also demanded urgent renovation, reconstruction, and upgrading of primary and secondary schools across Agwa and Ejemekwuru communities. It stressed that providing safe, functional, and conducive learning environments is necessary for the development of human capital and the future of the region.
In addition, the Niger Delta Progressive Youth Movement appealed for fair political inclusion and representation. It urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State to ensure that credible candidates from the constituency are given the opportunity to contest key positions, including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and the Imo West Senatorial District.
The group maintained that its demands are not politically motivated but are driven by urgent developmental needs and the desire to improve living conditions in the affected communities. It called on the Imo State Government, political leaders, and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and take concrete steps toward addressing the challenges.
Residents of the affected communities, according to the group, continue to express frustration over the slow pace of development, insisting that immediate action is required to prevent further deterioration of living conditions.
The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Movement concluded by urging authorities to prioritize the needs of rural communities and ensure that development is evenly distributed across all parts of the state, particularly in areas that have long been neglected.
