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Marginalisation: MRAI Kicks hard as Ese-Odo Local Government Didn’t Make the List of Areas to Benefit Road Projects
The Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI) has expressed its disappointment over the exclusion of Ese-Odo Local Government Area from the list of township road projects approved by Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, under the ‘OUR EASE’ mandate.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Hosea T. Ebikontei, and Bomi Stanley, MRAI described the omission as a glaring oversight, calling on the state government to address the neglect of Arogbo-Ibe and Apoi communities.
“Arogbo-Ibe deserves Equal Development”
The statement emphasised that Ese-Odo, home to the Arogbo-Ijaw and Apoi Ijaw, plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the state and should not be sidelined.
“It is disappointing that in a project of such magnitude, Ese-Odo is conspicuously not considered. This is not just a slight on the Arogbo-Ijaw and Apoi Ijaw communities, but a disregard for the contributions of our people to Ondo State’s development,” MRAI stated.
The group urged the governor to uphold his campaign promises of inclusivity and equitable development; insisting that the ongoing road projects should extend to Ese-Odo Local Government Area.
The MRAI also demanded the immediate approval of road projects within Ese-Odo, such as the rehabilitation of motorable roads in Arogbo-Ibe and Apoi Communities.
“We cannot continue to accept systemic marginalisation. It is our right to benefit from the dividends of democracy, and we demand that the governor takes swift action to rectify this omission,” the statement concluded.
The group further called on stakeholders and traditional leaders in the area to join in advocating for justice and equal representation in infrastructural development.
The omission of Ese-Odo is likely to spark debates about inclusivity in governance, especially as the governor prepares for his inauguration in February 2025.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, has not yet responded to the concerns raised by the MRAI at the time of this publication.
