A group, the Concerned Ilaje Coastal Communities (CICC) in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta, has decried its non-inclusion in the proposed dredging of the Escravos/Warri channel project.
The group made this disclosure in a statement signed by its National Youth President, Felix Iyamolere and Secretary, Adeokan Jose, on Thursday in Warri.
The CICC called on the Federal Government to ensure that the communities are included in the execution of the multi-billion naira project.
The Federal Government had on April 11, announced the approval of the dredging of the Warri/Escravos seaport project at a cost of N13 billion after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
According to the group, Ilaje communities suffer same environmental hazards as their neighbours, Ijaws and Itsekiris.
“The approval of the dredging of Escravos/Warri channel received high commendation from the various Ilaje communities in Warri.
“We are stakeholders just like the Ijaws and Itsekiris in Warri South-West.
“We also suffer the same neglect, deprivation, chronic ecological and hazardous effects from the various multinational companies operating in the area.
“These stakeholders/ethnic groups live in the same environment, so we suffer the same negative effects from the oil companies,’’ the group said.
They, however, lauded the Federal Government for approving the dredging of the Escravos bar and expressed their wish to be included in the project execution.
