KEY POINTS

• Igiriuku oil community protests long-standing neglect.
• Residents cite failed NDDC road projects.
• Igiriuku oil community installs interim leadership.

People in Igiriuku Owaza, an oil-producing autonomous community in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, are protesting what they say are years of neglect and failing infrastructure, even though they extract crude oil from their property every day.

Community leaders say the lack of visible development has deepened frustration among locals, who argue that weak leadership following the death of their traditional ruler left Igiriuku without a strong voice to press its case with government authorities and development agencies.

At a rally held at the community town hall, residents complained that roads built by the Niger Delta Development Commission during the tenure of former managing director Onyema Ugochukwu have deteriorated badly. They said the area lacks projects typically associated with oil-producing communities, even as drilling continues uninterrupted.

Igiriuku oil community decries development neglect

Speakers at the gathering said the community shows no evidence of benefiting from its oil resources. They cited impassable roads and the absence of social amenities, warning that continued neglect could provoke stronger action.

Furthermore, the protesters said they installed a new interim leadership to secure representatives who can engage government agencies more effectively and press for urgent intervention.

Chief Friday Nwaelele, Paramount Chief of Eziogwu and chairman of the Igiriuku Council of Paramount Chiefs, announced the dissolution of the former leadership and confirmed the appointment of an acting executive council.

“With this selection by representatives of the four villages that make up Igiriuku, the former leadership has been dissolved,” he said, adding that the appointments would remain in effect until a new traditional ruler emerges.

Community appoints interim leaders

The new leadership includes Chief Nwosu Bright Chukwuma as chairman, with Uche Ogbonna as vice chairman. Ernest Aliri was named secretary, while Kelechi Nwelele will serve as youth leader. Other appointments cover youth and women leadership roles across the community’s villages.

One of the Paramount Chiefs, Chief Horsfall Ebere, praised residents for conducting the process peacefully. He urged the new executive to work closely with the council of chiefs to advance development priorities.

Ebere also said he was confident the team would act in the community’s interest by engaging federal, state and local governments to attract infrastructure projects and restore Igiriuku’s standing as an oil-producing area deserving of meaningful development.