Delta Devt: I Won’t Slow Down Until 2023, Says Okowa

…tasks stakeholders on unity

Omon-Julius Onabu

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday expressed his desire to maintain the tempo of development of the state until the end of his second tenure in office in 2023, which he noted was in line with his administration’s ‘Stronger Delta’ agenda.

Okowa gave the assurance yesterday at a Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum held in Asaba, the state capital, as part of the activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The governor expressed the desire to resist all forms of distraction from the ongoing flurry of political activities in the country towards the 2023 general election, advising members of his team and all well-meaning Deltans to support him in that regard.

According to him, “I don’t intend to slow down the current tempo of development in the state, because we are committed to the ‘Stroger Delta’ agenda. Also, I won’t allow election matters to slow me down until the very end of this administration.”

The governor also noted that the interactive session by stakeholders in the state was designed as an avenue for the people of the state to reflect on the last 30 years, share experiences and chart a course for the future, just as he expressed delight over the optimism that trailed the creation of Delta State in 1991 owing to certain political differences at that time, which he said had since given way to a more united people despite the ethnic and cultural diversity among the people.

Nevertheless, Okowa expressed contentment that the initial depressing wave of skepticism had since faded away and given rise to deep faith in the oneness of the state.

Okowa said: “Thirty years ago, Delta State was born and, given the prevailing political atmosphere at that time, its birth was understandably greeted with cautious optimism.

“Indeed, not a few were skeptical about the future of the new state given its ethnic plurality and the initial feelings of disappointment among those who felt shortchanged in the process.

“But after 30 years of existence, it is gratifying to note that the skepticism has given way to belief; despair has been replaced by confidence, and suspicion has succumbed to understanding and acceptance.

“I can boldly say that Deltans have come to live as one big, happy family, and the state has continued to forge ahead in all indices of human, physical and economic development.

“My appreciation also goes to elected politicians and political appointees who have served the state at various times. Your ideas, policies, programmes and contributions have helped to raise the profile of the state to what it is now-a pacesetter in the Nigerian federation.”

The governor also paid glowing tributes to his predecessors, late Chief Felix Ibru, Chief James Ibori, and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for their immense contributions to the growth and development of the state.

He further took the opportunity of the interactive session to reel out a litany of achievements by his administration, which he stressed has adopted a multi-sectoral approach in the development of the state, which has also significantly improved on the growth trajectory recorded by his predecessors.

Okowa lauded the successive administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for the continuity of programmes and policies since 1999.

In the area of education, he disclosed that the three new universities created by his administration would commence academic session in September this year, and would provide opportunities to many bright students, who, due to limited space, were unable to gain admission into the existing public universities.

The governor said: “In the tertiary education sector, three existing institutions have been upgraded to universities to broaden access to university education for our bright students, especially in the fields of medicine, engineering, law, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and architecture.”

On the health sector, Okowa noted that Delta State became the first in the country to commence universal health coverage with no fewer than 950,000 enrollees under the scheme-the highest so far in the country-with 487 hospitals officially accredited to provide the service.

The governor, who also scored his administration high on job creation, youth empowerment, and agro-industrialisation, disclosed that his administration has extended the frontiers of rural-urban integration vis-a-vis urban renewal through massive infrastructural development, especially road projects.

“The 20.28-kilometre Obotobo I-Obotobo II-Sokebolou–Yokri Road in Burutu Local Government Area in the state underscores our commitment to providing infrastructure of the most vital interest and consequence to the people of the state.

“Indeed, the riverine communities of Burutu, Oporoza, Okerenkoko, and Benekrukru, among others, have been given a facelift with well-paved roads.

“Building on the foundation laid by my predecessors, we have transformed Asaba, the capital city, into one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria.

“The sprawling ultra-modern Central Secretariat Complex, which is close to completion, has enhanced the architectural beauty of Asaba landscape,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the governor also commended the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari recently, however, with reservations.

Okowa said: “We welcome the passage of the PIA, but I must say that the three per cent allocated to host communities from the operating cost of the oil companies is unsatisfactory.

“We are convinced that the five per cent demanded by our state and other oil-producing states is fair, just and equitable in view of the ecological and environmental degradation that the host communities are exposed to from oil exploration.

“We shall continue to push for higher compensation, but I appeal to all Deltans, particularly the youths, to be calm and law-abiding. I am confident that we will have the opportunity to make improvements to the law by way of amendment.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, posited that at 30, Delta State is smart, strong and safe, and had brought to the fore the results of three decades of hard work and dedication by the founding fathers of the state.

Ukah stressed that the state was celebrating 30 years of massive infrastructure, education, sports, entertainment, human capital development and small-scale enterprises among other successes.

The session was attended by many dignitaries, including the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro; former military administrator of the state, Navy Commander Walter Feghabo (rtd); Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Diai; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu; traditional rulers, among others.