The leadership of Azama Federated Community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has appealed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to urgently intervene in addressing the community's longstanding infrastructural challenges.

The appeal was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Chairman of the community, Comrade Layefa Ikpidi, who lamented what he described as years of neglect despite the community's contributions to the oil and gas economy.

According to Ikpidi, Azama Community has remained largely deprived of essential infrastructure when compared to neighbouring communities in the Niger Delta, a situation he said has continued to hinder socio-economic growth and worsen the living conditions of residents.

He noted that although Azama produced the first lawyer in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, the community still lacks a government-owned school, describing the situation as unfortunate in an era where education remains a key driver of development.

"It would interest the public to know that despite boasting of producing the first lawyer in the kingdom, the coastal community has no government school, especially when education is a necessary requirement to help advance modern day development," he lamented.

He further stated that the community is also without road networks and walkways, potable drinking water and other basic social amenities required for meaningful development.

The community leader expressed concern over the prolonged neglect of Azama, stressing that despite its strategic location in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, residents continue to grapple with the absence of critical infrastructure, just as he urged the NDDC under the leadership of Dr. Ogbuku to prioritise Azama Community in its intervention programmes by executing people-oriented projects capable of transforming the coastal settlement.

Among the projects requested are the installation of solar-powered street lights to improve security and stimulate economic activities at night, canalisation of waterways to enhance water transportation and control erosion, construction of internal roads and walkways, provision of potable drinking water, establishment of well-equipped healthcare facilities, construction of educational infrastructure, drainage systems, shoreline protection works, and other developmental projects.

"The execution of these projects would significantly improve the living conditions of our people, boost commerce, enhance security, create employment opportunities, and demonstrate the Federal Government's commitment to the welfare of host communities in the Niger Delta," he noted.

The Azama Chairman expressed confidence in the leadership of Dr. Ogbuku, citing the developmental projects executed by the NDDC in several communities across the region, and expressed optimism that Azama would also receive deserving attention, assuring the Commission of the community's continued support, peaceful disposition and readiness to collaborate with government agencies and development partners to ensure the successful execution and protection of projects.

Ikpidi also called on prominent sons and daughters of Azama Community, elected representatives, relevant government agencies, development institutions and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the NDDC by supporting initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and enhancing the welfare of the people.

He maintained that equitable distribution of developmental projects remains essential to promoting peace, inclusive growth and sustainable development across the Niger Delta, urging all stakeholders to give urgent consideration to the developmental needs of Azama Federated Community.