The Comrade Ark Selegha-led Executive Council of Kokodiagbene Community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has called on government and its agencies for swift intervention in the educational sector, environmental seashore protection, among other areas militating against the growth of the community.

The call was made on Wednesday, October 20, 2026, at the general meeting of stakeholders of the oil-rich community convened to deliberate on developmental issues affecting.

In attendance at the meeting include community elders, traditional chiefs, women and youth leaders of the community who were all charged to make positive contributions for the progress of the community.

On environmental protection issue, he disclosed that, after several years of promise by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to kickstart the protection of the seashore, no attempts have been made despite series of letters to that effect.

On education, Comrade Selegha appealed on the state government through the Ministry of Education to fasttrack the registration of the Ebiabu-Ama Primary School II to improve access to education to pupils within satellite communities.

He also lamented the huge cost of transportation borne by the community to ensure pupils are ferried to and fro the school on weekly basis as a measure to reduce out of school children in the area, stressing that the strategy has further led to increase in attendance.

"We as a community has provided a boat called coastal school bus with an engine to convey pupils from different communities in the area to the school and back. The cost running such a transport system by way of buying petrol is putting a strain on the finances of the community," he said.

Comrade Selegha also frowned at the poor attention given to education by government teachers alleging that many abandon their post by relying on private teachers provided by the Gbaramatu Youth Council and sponsored by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

On Tompolo's various initiative in the community's development, he commended the Niger Delta leader for setting the pace especially with his recent kickstarting of a cottage hospital in the community.

He therefore appealed to the state government, the management of the NDDC, and other stakeholders to look into the complaints and fasttrack intervention to ameliorate the plights of the people, especially as an oil and gas host community.

A major highpoint of the meeting was the setting up of the Planning Committee for the annually celebrated Amasuo-Ugeh Festival chaired by Chief (Engr.) George Timiyan, JP, who is to preside over the planning and arrangement of programmes for the forthcoming festival that holds in December.

Among executive members in attendance include Paul Diwere (Vice Chairman), Sir Gabriel Ukuli (Secretary), Engr. Johnson Powede (Public Relations Officer), Nani Mala (Financial Secretary), Maxwell Obode (Assistant Financial Secretary), John Arukarawei (Assistant Secretary), Tima Igedo (Treasurer); Jerry Ari (Provost); and youth president Comrade Blessing Laide.

View photos of the meeting here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DfbZN4kH9/