The Creek to Creek Movement has raised a fresh alarm over what it described as the complete grounding and abandonment of riverine communities in Delta State, decrying decades of neglect that have left vast swathes of the creeks without basic infrastructure, social services or protection against perennial flooding.

The group lamented that communities such as Bomadi, Gbaregolor–Esanma, Enekorogha and others continue to exist in conditions it described as “dehumanising”, despite Delta State’s long-standing status as one of the highest recipients of federal allocations in the country.

According to the movement, the contrast between the state’s revenue inflows and the living realities in the creeks exposes a deep governance failure.

Angered by the poor state of infrastructure and social services, the Movement embarked on a fact-finding tour of affected communities aimed at documenting realities on the ground and challenging official narratives of development.
The tour was led by the Director-General of the Creek to Creek Movement, High Chief Mike Ayapaye.
Communities and facilities visited included Bomadi General Hospital, Esenabe College in Bomadi, the stalled Gbaregolor–Esanma Bridge project and Enekorogha community, among others.

The assessment reportedly revealed dilapidated health facilities, abandoned projects and communities cut off by the absence of internal road networks.

According to the Movement, priority needs identified during the tour include the construction of internal roads, renovation of hospital theatres, antenatal wards and laboratories, provision of ambulances, job creation and empowerment programmes, construction of corpers’ lodges, as well as urgent canal construction and shoreline protection to curb flooding that regularly displaces residents.

Speaking during the visit, High Chief Ayapaye said the tour reinforced the Movement’s determination to amplify the voices of riverine dwellers who have been pushed to the margins of public attention.

“It is quite worrisome that some of our communities have resigned their fate to God after years of marginalisation and neglect and are no longer willing to speak out,” he said. “We will be their voice. We will speak for them, and we will not relent until meaningful and positive change is achieved.”

Ayapaye noted that many creek communities remain without electricity and are still not connected to the national grid, decades after oil exploration turned their environment into a critical national economic zone.
He said the Movement intends to bridge the widening gap between government institutions and neglected rural communities by directly engaging residents and presenting their needs to relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

“Our team is willing, ready and determined to bring to the fore the numerous challenges facing creek communities,” he said, adding that the organisation is open to partnerships with federal, state and local governments, as well as development agencies, to pursue sustainable solutions.

As pressure mounts, the Movement has called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women groups, as well as all tiers of government, to confront what it termed the “systemic neglect” of riverine communities and ensure that development in the Niger Delta is inclusive rather than selective.

Mr Mathew Tamaratari Azazi, on behalf of the Movement, described the situation in the creeks as an “unacceptable level of neglect”, arguing that basic amenities have become luxuries in communities that contribute significantly to national wealth.
“These stories must lead to action, not be filed away in archives,” Azazi said, stressing that the Movement would engage all levels of government and development partners to ensure accountability.

Responding on behalf of the Bomadi community, Prince Kelvin Ayemi thanked the Creek to Creek Movement for the visit, describing it as a rare show of concern for riverine people. He said the tour had renewed hope that the plight of creek communities could finally gain national attention.