Delta State-born development advocate and environmental rights activist, Chief Sheriff Mulade, Ph.D, has tasked the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to deliberately consider riverine host communities in his administration's infrastructural development plan across the state by initiating what he called "mega people-oriented projects" that will open up the coastal communities for economic growth and development.

In a statement issued by the Ibe-Serimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of the state, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the peace ambassador alleged the deliberate neglect of riverine communities from meaningful development projects.

"It is imperative to state that the riverine areas predominantly occupied by the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities in Delta are not only deprived of meaningful development, but neglected in terms of mega people-oriented projects that will open up the coastal communities for economic growth and development," he alleged.

Mulade, who is a House of Representatives candidate for Warri Federal Constituency on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) further stated that the Ijaw and the Itsekiri constitute over 70 percent of the state revenue through oil, gas and blue economy which made Delta State the richest state in Nigeria.

"But these areas that lay the golden egg are totally neglected and abandoned," he lamented.

Mulade appealed to Oborevwori to deliberately consider people-oriented mega projects in the Ijaw and Itsekiri host communities to give sense of belonging to the economic live-wire of the State, as the state prepares to celebrate her 35 years anniversary.

"Some of the critical infrastructure projects expected to be embarked upon by the Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration, as part of celebration of the State's 35 years anniversary are the Ayakoromo-Burutu-Forcados-Odimodi- Ogulagha road which linked several coastal communities connecting to the famous oil storage Forcados Terminal that will boost economic growth and create employment opportunities.

"Omadino-Okerenkoko-Kokodiagbene-Escravos road also linking the Escravos Terminal which has the capacity to make Delta State become the economic hub of Nigeria because of the various potentials abound.

"Koko-Ogheye-Gbokodo-Opuama linking several coastal communities in Warri North LGA to open up the state.

"Camp-5-Seitorububou-Kurutie-Kunukunuma-Ibefan-Azama-Oporoza-Ogidigben-Yokri/Sokebolou-Obotobo Ring Road," and "Ojobo-Ndoro-Aghoro Road linking Delta to Bayelsa, on the eastern flank," he disclosed.

However, Mulade insists that road connectivity is a panacea for speedy development in Delta riverine areas towards achieving the much talked-about blue economy for Delta State, and indeed, the entire Nigeria, but that the coastal areas deserve more.

"It is worthy of note that the commendation towards the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff F.O Oborevwori, is as a result of the urban city infrastructural development, while the sources of the resources base—the riverine host communities—are totally neglected," he stressed.

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