By Mercy Akuba
For many communities across Delta State, development has brought roads, electricity, healthcare facilities, schools, and other basic social amenities. However, for the people of Ebu in Oshimili North Local Government Area, these necessities remain a distant dream.
Ebu, a predominantly agrarian community known for its rich agricultural potential, has for decades remained one of the most neglected communities in the state. Residents say the town has been virtually abandoned, with little or no government presence reflected in infrastructure and social services.
A visit to the community paints a picture of a people struggling to survive under difficult conditions. There is no public electricity supply, no pipe-borne water, no functional healthcare facility, and inadequate educational infrastructure.
Residents depend largely on self-help efforts to meet their daily needs.
Community leaders lament that despite their contributions to the state’s agricultural sector, Ebu has continued to suffer from underdevelopment while other communities enjoy the dividends of democracy.
According to residents, one of the most pressing challenges facing the community is the deplorable state of the road linking Ebu to neighbouring towns.
The road, which serves as the community’s major economic and social lifeline, has remained impassable for years, making movement of people and goods extremely difficult.
Farmers are among the worst affected. They often struggle to transport their produce to markets, resulting in losses and reduced income. The poor road network has also made access to healthcare, education, and commercial activities a major challenge for residents.
Many indigenes describe the situation as a painful reminder of years of neglect and abandonment.
The road is our greatest challenge. We cannot easily access neighbouring communities, and this affects every aspect of our lives, a resident said.
Community stakeholders have repeatedly appealed to government authorities to intervene, stressing that the construction of the Ebu–Ezi–Ukala Road would significantly improve the living conditions of the people and open up the area for economic growth.
Residents believe that a functional road network would not only ease transportation challenges but also attract investment, improve agricultural productivity, and connect the community to development opportunities available in other parts of the state.
As the administration of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, continues to implement its development agenda across the state, the people of Ebu are appealing for urgent attention to their plight.
They are calling on the governor to come to their rescue by prioritizing the construction of the Ebu–Ezi–Ukala Road and extending basic social amenities to the community.
For many residents, the question remains: Will the people of Ebu finally experience the benefits of development after decades of neglect, or will the community continue to remain on the margins of progress?
As hopes remain high, the people of Ebu await government intervention that could restore their confidence and give the community a new lease of life.