The Orashi People Sustainable Progress Forum, OPSPF, an umbrella that covers people living within the Orashi region in Imo State, has called for the creation of Orashi State, saying it will attract even development and foster unity among communities from the Southeast and Southsouth living within the Orashi riverline area.
The group said it is surprising that Orashi has never been mentioned during discussions concerning state creation at the National Assembly despite its popularity within the two zones.
The position of the group was made known by its Chairman Board of Trustees, Comrade Nwodu during the inauguration of the National Leadership of the group at Abacheke Egbema West, Imo State.
Nwodu said that OPSPF, will give louder voice to the realization of Orashi State which he noted comprised people across Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo and Anambra.
He pointed out that the people of Orashi region have all it takes to be an Autonomous State having contributed significantly to the economic growth of the nation through its natural resources.
The OPSPF Chairman added despite the contributions of the region to national welfare, it is hardly remembered in the scheme of things both at the states and federal levels.
Nwodu maintained that the creation of Orashi State will be a source of liberation and give sense of belonging for various communities living in the states within the Southeast and Southsouth regions where they are being marginalized.
” Our region is blessed with Oil, Agriculture and aquatic wealth but lacking in both human and infrastructural development.This forum will therefore drive social change through good governance and responsible management of our common heritage.”he said.
The Chairman urged people of the region to work within the purview of the constitution while agitating for the Orashi State creation.
” Let’s collaborate, share ideas and focus on our goals for the benefit of the people of Orashi region and the country at large.”
In his speech, the National President of OPSPF, Sampson Chukas, said remarked that during the discussion of new state creation at the Senate, that Orashi was hardly mentioned, a development he said was the height of disservice to the people of the region by their representatives.
“While Anim and Anioma are being mentioned at the floor of the National Assembly, nobody remembered Orashi, despite its popularity within the Southeast and Southsouth regions.
“Anim is talking about just two states, Imo and Anambra, Anioma is talking about just a state outside the southeast region while Orashi is talking about four States representing both Southeast and Southsouth regions but the name is hardly mentioned, it is very unfortunate ” he added.
Chukas asserted that since the representatives of the region have failed them, the forum will take up the agitation and make it a popular demand among other State agitators.
He hinted that most of the Commissions and Agencies established to take care of Communities within the region have totally failed, noting that creation of Orashi State will give direct and adequate attention to the yearnings of the people within the region.
