OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, RT. HON. SHERIFF OBOREVWORI
On the Neglect of Water Transportation and the Hardship Faced by Riverine Communities
Your Excellency,
GbaramatuVoice, the leading media organization in the Niger Delta, writes to draw your esteemed attention to the persistent and worsening hardship faced by the riverine communities of Delta State—particularly among the Ijaw and Itsekiri people living across Warri South West, Warri North, Bomadi, and Burutu Local Government Areas.
For decades, residents of the creeks and waterways have been severely marginalized when it comes to basic transportation infrastructure. Sadly, this neglect has continued under your administration. Despite being full citizens of Delta State, the riverine population continues to feel abandoned and excluded.
The current state of transportation in these areas is not only unaffordable—it is unbearable. A one-hour boat trip to many riverine communities now costs between ₦11,000 and ₦20,000 per person, one way. Hiring a 200HP engine boat to convey a family can cost upwards of ₦300,000, making it nearly impossible for many to return to their hometowns. This has led to a sharp decline in community connection, cultural continuity, and overall well-being.
Worse still, the state government has no subsidized marine transport system, no public boats, no terminals, and no development plan to address these challenges. After almost two years in office, your government is yet to make any concrete policy statement or move in this regard. This silence is not only alarming—it is disheartening.
The ripple effect of this neglect is devastating. The cost of transporting building materials such as cement, rods, and planks to the creeks is up to ten times higher than in upland areas. As a result, building a modest house in the creeks has become a luxury few can afford. Likewise, the prices of food, petrol, and other essentials are extremely inflated due to the high transportation costs.
Your Excellency, this is not just a transportation issue—it is a development crisis. GbaramatuVoice, speaking on behalf of thousands of affected citizens, urges you to take urgent, deliberate, and strategic action. The state must immediately begin work on a comprehensive riverine transportation system that includes:
●Subsidized passenger boats
●Well-structured marine transport routes
●Standard terminals across key riverine hubs
●Safety and regulatory frameworks
●Inclusion of riverine transport in the state’s development agenda
The riverine people deserve equal access to opportunities, infrastructure, and state support. They are not asking for favors—they are demanding fairness.
If nothing is done, the divide between Delta’s coastal and inland communities will continue to widen. That must not become the legacy of a government elected under the promise of MORE — Meaningful Development, Opportunities, Reforms, and Enhancements.
The time to act is now.
Signed,
GbaramatuVoice International
The Niger Delta Leading Media Organization
www.gbaramatuvoicenews.com
15th May, 2025
Warri, Delta State
