Egbudu-Akah community,bounded By Ekuku Agbor in Ika South, Ute-Okpu in Ika North East, Asahama and Ubulu-Uno Communities in their Neighbouring Aniocha South Local Government Areas of Delta State, Egbudu-Akah Community is fabled for its famous rubber plantation established since the creation of the then mid western region in 1963.
Egbudu-Akah, largely agrarian community, produces maize in large quantity, oil palm in commercial quantity, cassava in commercial quantity and plantain in commercial quantity, among other staple crops.
But the difficulty is that, Egbudu-Akah community has been cut off from civilization by the glaring lack of an access road, since the advent of mid western Nigeria governance, thus deprived of a market not only to convey these viable agricultural produce to the neighbouring towns and cities, but also to contribute its quota to boosting the economy of the state.
As if the dire need for an access road was not enough, Egbudu-Akah has been cut off from power supply for more than twelve years and still counting.
According to the President General, Egbudu-Akah Development Union, Comrade Godwin Elue, the rural electrification scheme stopped at Ute Erunmu, in Ika North East and all efforts to draw the attention of their plight to successive governments proved abortive.
The President General who spoke through the community’s farm Committee member. Mr Peter Onwuemene, said they have been totally cut off from their neighbours in Aniocha South, Ike South and also Ika North East.
He explained that when the rains set in, movement to and from their community becomes a tug of war and impassable.
He said the community’s self help in efforts to make life better for themselves, the President General said a maternity home was built by the community, as well as undertaking the grading of their roads and renovation of their market within the limits of their resources.
Comrade Elue,however stated that their efforts was a far cry from what the community needed, which is the outright construction of the 22km earth road to link up her neighbors, a gesture which he says will bring immediate socio economic benefits to the community in particular, and the state in general.
An on the spot visit to the community’s health center which houses the maternity revealed that the facility is in dire need of protectors for all the windows, while the staff quarters built by the 2011 MDGs is in dire need of renovation to house the only female community Health Worker who has been under casual employment with the primary Health Care Development Agency under a paltry N20,000.00 monthly stipend.
Other challenges at the health centre includes lack of power and water supply, perimeter fencing, lack of medical equipment and of course health workers to meet the ever increasing health demand of the community residents.
A visit to the Egbudu-Akah Secondary School revealed lack of perimeter fencing and poor sanitary condition as the entire premises had been taken over by over grown weeds of over 10 feet height and the entire block of class rooms had its corridor taken over by weeds, while dilapidating buildings dented the premises.
According to the President General, the population of the school is dwindling rapidly due to the location of the school at the out skirts of the community, thus paving the way for the privately owned schools to thrive.
The Illoh Primary School Egbudu -Akah equally need urgent attention as the old structure is under sorry stage that should be renovated.
THE COMMUNITY MARKET
In spite of self help efforts to renovate the market place, a lot of work such as roofing, toilet facilities and water need to be provided to ensure hygiene for the traders and residents alike.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT/SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRE
The Egbudu-Akah president General lamented that there was no government programme whereby the youths and women were given empowerment via skills acquisition or direct employment, thus leading to Rural –Urban migration even with their vast agricultural potentials.
Comrade Elue, while commending the immediate past administration of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwpri, the elected representative of Aniocha South, Chief Isaac Anwuzia, the local government council and indeed all men of goodwill, to come to the aid of Egbudu-Akah community by initiating the road project and other infrastructural development that will improve the community economic well being and prosperity.
He said indigenes of the community are peaceful and law abiding and have always supported the PDP administration with their votes in all general elections held since the advent of democracy in 1999.
The President General, appealed to the State Governor Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to as a matter of urgency see Egbudu -Akah community as part of his property of the MORE AGENDA. 0
