Delta community protest bad road, 15-year power outage

Residents of Ivrogbo-Irri, located in Delta State's Isoko South local government area, are demanding that the state government take action to fix a badly damaged access road and restore electricity to the community. Youthful residents, women and community leaders have implored Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately step in, stating that the poor road conditions and the lack of electricity for over a decade have severely impacted the community's ability to engage in economic and social activities.

The protesters highlighted the critical role the road plays in the local economy, which is largely dependent on farming, palm oil production, fishing, timber-related activities, and sand excavation. They explained that the substandard road conditions have made it increasingly challenging to transport goods like farm produce and other necessities to neighboring communities and markets, thereby affecting livelihoods.

Furthermore, the demonstrators raised the alarm over the community's power outage that has persisted for more than 15 years, stating that this situation has adversely affected businesses, education, and various facets of community life. One resident pointed out that the access road's deterioration was a result of damage incurred during flooding events in 2012, 2018, and 2022.

They emphasized that Ivrogbo-Irri's location in a riverine area makes it especially susceptible to flooding, and they fear that another severe flood could worsen the situation, further isolating the community.

The protesters also expressed their concern over the community's status as an oil-producing area and called for a heightened focus on infrastructure and basic amenities. They urged the Delta State Government to address the road and electricity issues before the next flooding season, warning that the ongoing deterioration could make the community even more isolated from neighboring areas.

The peaceful protest served as a platform for residents to highlight what they view as long-standing infrastructure deficits in their community, all while seeking government intervention to enhance living conditions and economic opportunities in Ivrogbo-Irri.