Benin City — Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at the weekend, visited one of the most dreaded mlitant camps in the state to have a first hand experience of the living condition of the oil rich communities in the state,while promising to engage them in the developmental programmes of his administration. Oshiomhole held talks with the 'Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteer Force', of Ofunama in Ovia South West local government area of Edo state and with the 'Deadly Underdogs' at the headquarters of the Egbema Kingdom.The meeting was cut short as nightfall set in and was resheduled for a later date.

The militants who were heavly armed with sophisticated weapons were excited to receive the Comrade Governor as it was the first time a serving governor will visit the creeks in Edo state. The governor, having the desire to reach every nook and cranny of the state with developments, promised to take another assessement tour of the communities. Henry AKA Egbema, leader of the militants, while expressing appreciation for the visit of the governor, noted that there are seven communities begging for attention, adding that the visit is a ray of hope for his people "we are suffering please help us. "they pleaded. "We don't have schools here. The problem of development, water, jetties and boats for water transportation are part of the problems confronting us. The local government council has not done anything for us.

"As we are here today, we have deadly underdogs. People say we are criminals and that we do not know what we are doing, but you can see that we have been abandoned. Our joy is that you feel our pains and this has been for years. Now that it is dry season, see the roads are not passable. We have no political appointment, but I assure you that there will be no problem", the Egbema stated. The governor, full of empathy for the people, said "we have to solve these problems. I will come back because, its night now. There is virtually nothing we can do now in the dark. When next I am coming, I will take helicopter to the place. I think you need engine-powered boats to reach the riverine communities.

"When next I am coming, I will come with the local government council chairman. He will be in my delegation and together, we will start to do something here. I am also a freedom fighter, I have been oppressed and I know the meaning of oppression and so, while I am governor, nobody will be oppressed.Your people will be part of the oil and gas commission to correct the injustices of the past when we set it up. "You can visit me in the office. Just co-operate with us. Liaise with us, you have access to my office and tell us what is happening. When we start, your people will know that one day, these problems would be over. We will make provision for you in the budget that we are preparing now. "When we do these projects, we will come and also commission them. The governor is your friend, I am an ordinary person and I can see the hardship here without being told. When coming again, it will be in the afternoon, not night. We will go round the people, the communities and make friends."