By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
A fresh dispute is brewing in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, as indigenes of Ojeada, Umuda, Afadia, and other villages in Umuaji Quarters have raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation linked to the Phase 2A internal road network of the 2nd Niger Bridge construction.
Speaking to journalists in Asaba, a community leader, Obi Nduka Ogochukwu of Umuda village, accused the consulting firm, Odum O. Partners, of complicating the process. He alleged that the consultant, Mr. Okwchukwu Odum, claimed that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), had directed that payments for Asaba claimants be channeled through him.
Describing the arrangement as unacceptable, Ogochukwu stressed that rightful property owners had met all requirements and deserved direct payments without any third-party involvement. He pointed out that in other affected communities such as Okwe, Okpanam, and Ibusa, compensation was paid directly to beneficiaries without similar controversy.
However, the palace of the Asagba of Asaba has strongly denied the allegation, dismissing it as “false and malicious.” Representatives of the monarch insisted that the Asagba had no hand in the compensation disbursement process.
The situation has been further complicated by what residents termed “contradictory statements” from the consultant. According to them, while Mr. Odum earlier promised that payments would be made directly to individuals, recent developments suggest otherwise.
Frustrated by over seven years of waiting, the Umuaji community commended Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for prioritizing the road project but vowed not to allow confusion to derail the process.
In an earlier protest to the consultant’s office, the aggrieved residents accused Odum O. Partners of attempting to subvert due process. They have now called on the Delta State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS)—which has supervised previous rounds of compensation—to urgently wade in and ensure transparency.
The indigenes maintained that compensation must be paid directly to property owners, insisting that this is the only way to guarantee fairness, accountability, and peace in the community.
