The leadership and residents of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) and neighboring bloc communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have expressed dissatisfaction over being left out of the more than ₦400 billion infrastructure projects recently approved by the Delta State Government.
In a statement released on Monday, the President of the Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Bloc Communities, Paul Toruwei, and the Aboh Youth Leader, Comrade Markson Juwoiye, said the communities were disappointed that their oil-producing area was not included among the projects.
While acknowledging the state government’s efforts to develop infrastructure across Delta State, the communities said the exclusion of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) raises serious concerns about fairness, equity, and balanced development. They pointed out that the area hosts several major oil companies, including Chevron, NPDC, Sahara Energy, and Conoil, whose operations contribute significantly to the state’s oil production.
According to the statement, the region produces over 20 percent of Delta State’s crude oil. Despite this contribution, the communities said they continue to face major infrastructural challenges, poor access, and limited government presence.
“For many years, the resources from our land have supported the economic growth of Delta State, yet our communities still struggle with serious development gaps,” the statement noted. “It is worrying that such a vital oil-producing area—often referred to by our people as the goose that lays the golden egg was not included in the recently approved infrastructure projects.”
The communities said they have remained peaceful and law-abiding but emphasized that government policies should reflect justice, fairness, and inclusive development.
They therefore urged the state government to reconsider the project list and include key projects such as the Trans-Egbema Road linking Ogbudugbudu/Ogbinbiri to Polobubo, as well as the Polobubo internal road network that was earlier approved during the administration of former governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
They also called on the government to ensure a fair distribution of development projects, especially to oil-producing host communities that play a major role in generating revenue for the state.
“It is becoming harder for our people to understand why communities that contribute so much to the economic strength of Delta State continue to be overlooked when it comes to development,” the statement added.
