SAFAROGBO CRIES OUT FOR URGENT DEVELOPMENT, APPEALS TO OKPEBHOLO, NDDC AND TOMPOLO
Community in Ovia South-West, Edo State, lists 10 pressing challenges, including bad roads, lack of electricity, inadequate schools, healthcare and security personnel.
By GlobalEgberi Media International Ltd
SAFAROGBO, OVIA SOUTH-WEST LGA, EDO STATE — Safarogbo Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to the state government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta leaders and other development stakeholders to urgently intervene in its deteriorating infrastructural conditions and longstanding lack of essential social amenities.
The appeal, made by community development advocate Kighilly Victor Relly on behalf of the community, calls on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; the management of the NDDC; High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Development; and other well-meaning leaders to prioritise Safarogbo in their development programmes.
According to the appeal, residents continue to face significant difficulties accessing basic necessities, including potable water, electricity, functional healthcare services, quality education, reliable roads, adequate security and telecommunications facilities.
The community expressed concern that, despite being situated in the Niger Delta region, its residents still struggle with essential infrastructure required for human development, economic advancement and improved living standards.
TEN MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING SAFAROGBO
The community identified ten critical areas requiring urgent government attention and development intervention.
1. Poor Roads and Absence of a Functional Jetty
Safarogbo reportedly faces serious transportation challenges due to the poor condition of its internal roads and walkways, alongside the absence of a functional jetty. The situation affects the movement of residents, the transportation of goods and access to essential services.
The community is calling for road rehabilitation and the construction of a suitable jetty to improve transportation, connectivity and commercial activities.
2. Lack of Potable Drinking Water
Access to safe drinking water remains a major concern. The community is appealing for the provision of reliable water infrastructure to reduce potential health risks and improve household sanitation.
3. Inadequate Public Toilet Facilities
The absence of adequate public toilet facilities has raised concerns about environmental sanitation and public health. The community is requesting the construction of appropriate sanitation facilities to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.
4. Absence of a Functional Healthcare Centre
Residents reportedly lack access to a functional healthcare facility within the community, forcing them to seek medical attention elsewhere.
The appeal stresses the importance of establishing a primary healthcare centre to provide basic medical services, maternal and child healthcare, preventive care and timely attention during emergencies.
5. Complete Lack of Electricity Supply
The community says it has no electricity supply, a situation that affects educational activities, small businesses, communication, healthcare delivery and general economic development.
Safarogbo is therefore seeking urgent intervention to provide a dependable electricity supply that would improve living conditions and create opportunities for economic growth.
6. Poor Educational Infrastructure
The community has called for comprehensive improvements to its primary and secondary educational facilities, including better classrooms, essential learning materials and a more conducive learning environment.
It maintains that children in rural and riverine communities deserve educational opportunities comparable to those available to their counterparts in better-served areas.
7. Dilapidated Primary School Buildings
The appeal further highlights the deteriorating condition of existing primary school buildings, which the community says require urgent rehabilitation.
The community is asking the relevant authorities to assess the structures and undertake necessary repairs to ensure that pupils and teachers have a safe and suitable environment for teaching and learning.
8. Deteriorated Access Road to the City
Safarogbo’s principal access road is another major concern. According to the appeal, the road is in poor condition, with movement becoming particularly difficult during the rainy season.
The community believes that rehabilitating the road would improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services while supporting local economic activities.
9. Lack of Deployed Police Personnel
Although a police building reportedly exists in the community, the appeal states that police personnel have not been deployed to Safarogbo.
The community is urging the Edo State Government and relevant security authorities to address the situation by deploying appropriate personnel to strengthen security, protect lives and property, and improve residents’ sense of safety.
10. Poor Telecommunications Network
Safarogbo also reports inadequate telecommunications coverage, which affects communication and connectivity.
The community is appealing to relevant authorities, telecommunications operators and development partners to facilitate the installation of suitable network infrastructure, including telecommunications masts where necessary.
Improved connectivity would help residents communicate more effectively, access digital services and respond more efficiently to emergencies.
APPEAL TO GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO
The community has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to ensure that Safarogbo receives attention within Edo State’s development agenda.
It is requesting an assessment of the community’s infrastructure, rehabilitation of its access road and school buildings, provision of electricity and potable water, establishment of a primary healthcare centre, improved sanitation and deployment of police personnel.
The appeal emphasises that inclusive governance should extend to rural and riverine settlements, ensuring that communities outside major urban centres are not overlooked in the provision of public infrastructure and essential services.
The community expressed hope that the state government would consider its concerns and work with relevant institutions to develop practical solutions.
NDDC URGED TO PRIORITISE SAFAROGBO
The Niger Delta Development Commission and other development institutions have also been urged to consider Safarogbo for appropriate intervention projects.
The community is seeking support for road construction, water supply, healthcare infrastructure, school rehabilitation, electricity, jetty construction and other essential development initiatives.
It believes that coordinated intervention by government agencies and development partners would significantly improve living conditions and create a stronger foundation for sustainable community development.
SPECIAL APPEAL TO TOMPOLO AND NIGER DELTA LEADERS
In a special appeal, the community called on High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, to lend his voice to the development challenges confronting Safarogbo.
The appeal urges the respected Niger Delta figure to help draw the attention of relevant authorities and development partners to the community’s needs.
Safarogbo also appealed to traditional rulers, political officeholders, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other well-meaning individuals to support initiatives aimed at improving the community’s infrastructure and social welfare.
The community stressed that its demands are not for luxury projects but for essential amenities necessary for a decent standard of living.
COMMUNITY SEEKS OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT AND CONCRETE ACTION
The appeal refers to photographs showing aspects of Safarogbo’s physical environment and road conditions, which the community says support its call for an official assessment by government agencies and development institutions.
The community is seeking practical action that will move beyond promises to measurable improvements in transportation, education, healthcare, electricity, water supply, sanitation, security and telecommunications.
It also called for sustained engagement between the relevant authorities and community representatives to help identify priorities and ensure that development projects respond to residents’ actual needs.
SAFAROGBO MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN
Concluding the appeal, Kighilly Victor Relly reiterated that residents of Safarogbo deserve access to the same basic infrastructure and opportunities for development as people living in other parts of the state.
The community maintained that its children deserve safe schools, its mothers deserve accessible healthcare, its young people deserve opportunities for advancement, and its elderly residents deserve a safe and comfortable environment.
It therefore called on the Edo State Government, the NDDC, the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Tompolo and other stakeholders to treat its concerns as a matter requiring serious consideration and timely intervention.
The appeal ended with a clear message: Safarogbo must not be forgotten, and its people deserve to feel the impact of development.
The community expressed appreciation to all the leaders and institutions who would give the appeal their attention and consider appropriate measures to address its challenges.
SIGNED:
KIGHILLY VICTOR RELLY
Community Development Advocate
For and on behalf of Safarogbo Community
Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.
Reporter: PINAIBA BOLOUERE FIRSTLADY GlobalEgberi media international Ltd
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