Residents of Ibrede Community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the state government to urgently intervene in the worsening condition of the Igbuku–Ibrede–Awa road.
According to concerned citizens of the community, the road has been in a deplorable state for years, riddled with potholes and largely impassable. They noted that the situation has significantly deteriorated due to the constant movement of heavy-duty vehicles belonging to Sterling Global, an oil prospecting company operating in the area.
The community alleged that the company’s trucks have caused extensive damage to the only access road linking Ibrede to Igbuku, with little or no effort made to address the impact. With the onset of the rainy season, residents say the road has become even more difficult to navigate, severely affecting transportation.
“This has made it extremely challenging for motorists and farmers to move goods and agricultural produce to neighboring communities for sale,” the statement read.
Describing themselves as peaceful and law-abiding people, the residents stressed the need to draw the government’s attention to the hardship they are facing. They called on the Delta State Government under the able leadership of the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff F.O Oborovweri to compel Sterling Global to fulfill its corporate social responsibility by repairing or reconstructing the road.
“It is not out of place for Sterling Global to take responsibility by ensuring that the suffering caused by the damage to this road is alleviated through urgent repairs,” the group stated.
The community warned that if swift action is not taken to rehabilitate the road, Ibrede risks being completely cut off from surrounding communities, further worsening economic and social conditions in the area.
— Concerned Citizens of Ibrede Community
