Gov Okowa’s Developmental Strides At A Glance

By Jonathan Onwuka/Nelson Egware.

AS soon as he alighted from the convoy, residents in the Cable Point area of Asaba Metropolis, especially women and children, erupted in spontaneous jubilation, singing the praise of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Their joy and excitement over the dualization of Cable Point road was palpable. It was a typical security’ officer’s nightmare as the crowd surged forward to express their joy and gratitude to the man many of them consider a political deliverer.

The same feelings of elation were aroused each time the governor embarked on project inspections. Whether it is the sleepy community of Oteri in Ughelli North Local Government Area or Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area, the story has been the same. Governor Okowa has been embraced by jubilant crowds thrilled by the massive infrastructural work going on in their communities.

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The 250-stall ultra-modern market in Orerokpe, which is nearing completion, is one of such projects. Many people in the community are excited that when completed, the market will contribute significantly to boosting agricultural and commercial activities, especially, for farmers plying their trade in the many farm settlements within the axis of the market.

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According to the Executive Chairman of Okpe Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Godwin Ejinyere, “the construction of this ultra-modern market by our amiable Governor is a very good development. Our people are very happy with what is going on with regards to the market. Their joy is further increased by the location of the market, which is close to a major farm settlement that houses people into poultry, fishery and animal husbandry.

“I am very optimistic that when this market is finally completed and becomes functional that it is going to attract people from far and near, thereby boosting the economic and revenue base of the local government area. I really want to commend our dear governor for fulfilling a promise he made to the people of Okpe, when he visited the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, during his electioneering campaign. Our people are, indeed, very grateful. We will continue to reciprocate this wonderful gesture by remaining supportive of this administration.”

The market project, according to Mr. Milverton Enejeror, Chairman of Orerokpe Community Development Association, is a big plus to the prosperity agenda of the current administration. “It is indeed a well thought out initiative on the part of the governor whom we know to be a leader with great and innovative ideas,” he asserted. “So, I give him kudos for this and the many other people-oriented projects his administration is executing across the state.
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Another resident of Orerokpe, Mr. John Okpoko, lavished encomiums on the governor. “In the past, it was like our area was neglected by government, but now, we feel a strong sense of belonging in the current administration in the state. We thank Governor Okowa, a God-fearing, prudent and honest man that God is using to lead our dear state in this trying economic period.”

For the people of Delta South, it has been a harvest of people-centred projects that have drastically increased the tempo of the socio-economic lives of residents of the area. Many of those who were interviewed expressed satisfaction over the rehabilitation of the Ofagbe Technical College, in Ofagbe, Isoko North Local Government Area and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Kefas road in Isoko South Local Government Area.

According to the pioneer Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro, the focus on technical and vocational education by the governor is something that should be applauded by all and sundry.”Nigeria today is technically and vocationally backward due to the complete neglect of that sector by successive administrations, both at the state and federal levels,” he argued. “That is why the Delta State Government should be supported and encouraged in this direction, as this noble initiative would contribute to the drastic reduction in unemployment in the state.

“Like the governor, I strongly believe the acquisition of necessary skills is the best way out of our current unemployment quagmire. I must, therefore, thank God for giving Governor Okowa the wisdom to go in the direction his administration is going. I must reiterate here and now that Senator Okowa is a visionary leader who thinks about the people more than he thinks of himself. We truly appreciate his efforts at moving Delta State forward.”

The Principal of Ofagbe Technical College, Mr. Isaiah Aluchi, whose face was radiating with joy as a result of the facelift the school has received had this to say: “The impact of the rehabilitation of the school cannot be over emphasised, but suffice it to say that this massive investment in technical education by the state government would surely give impetus to the SMART Agenda of the governor, as it will help to create jobs, which in turn, would bring prosperity to Deltans. I must thank the governor for his vision and unrelenting drive to boost infrastructure and education.”.

Mr. Samuel Ekrebe, who teaches Automobile Technology and Information Communication Technology at the school, disclosed that his work as a teacher has become more interesting and enjoyable since the college was brought back to life. He pointed out that the establishment of the Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board is a major boost to technical education in the state, adding that the board is impacting positively on the activities of technical colleges in the state.

Another project that is generating buzz among the people in Delta South is the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Kefas Road and Old Oleh Emede Road with a spur to Uzere Junction which many say have brought succour to the communities in the area. The roads were described as death traps before the intervention of the state government.

According to Chief Duncan Afaloko, a social media consultant, “the construction of these very important roads is a cherished gift to our people because the bad state gave them very horrendous experiences for many years. The construction of these roads has helped to decongest traffic from the major road, reduce accidents and make driving enjoyable.

“It got to a point when the Kefas Road, in particular, became a source of embarrassment to the people of Isoko nation because of its strategic importance as it housed a part of Delta State University. But now, life has returned to the area, and the people are happy. We commend His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for this gesture. We urge him to do more.”.

Since work commenced on the Cable Point Road in Asaba in late 2015, the community has witnessed some form of social and economic rejuvenation.

Expressing their joy over the project, some traders and residents of the area said it was a huge relief to them when they noticed heavy construction equipment being moved to site by the contractor handling the project. Their excitement was primarily due to the pains and losses the bad state of the road caused them in the past.

According to Mr. Eruemuolor Ulebor, who deals on electrical materials, “it was like hell for us especially during the rainy season. Our business suffered greatly as customers were wary of plying the road to patronise us. It was that bad. That was why there was spontaneous celebration immediately we noticed heavy duty equipment being moved to the area.

“We are indeed very happy and grateful to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. I am very optimistic that socio-economic activities will improve tremendously as customers would now be more than willing to come to the area to patronise us. God will grant the governor the strength, grace and resources to do more.”

Mr. Jude Ikechukwu, who also has a roadside store stated that “the construction of this once dilapidated road is the best thing that happened to us, either residing or doing business on this axis. You may not appreciate our excitement unless you had cause to visit this area before now. The road was more of a death trap. It was very terrible. Movement of humans, goods and services was very difficult. We thank God for using Governor Okowa to come to our aid. To me, this is a great achievement by the current administration.”.

Mrs. Augustina Onyemekwe, a business woman said: “This project is a pointer to the fact that the governor is a wonderful leader with a good heart. We really appreciate his good works since coming into office less than a year ago. I can say without fear of contradiction that this government is doing well. Look at the number of projects going on across the state, even in the face of serious financial challenges. We are praying for him. I am confident he would transform the state. All he needs is our prayer and support.”

According to Elder Jones Obiora, a dealer in building materials, “the construction of Cable Road, in my opinion, is the best thing I have experienced from the Delta State Government since I came to Asaba. You may not appreciate my sentiment unless you had plied this road before construction began on it last year. The bad road deprived us of so many things as socio-economic life was almost at zero level. But with what is going on, economic activities will be accelerated. That is why we will continue to praise Governor Okowa and pray that God would protect him for us. He is doing a great job for Deltans.”
Mr. Michael Apeh said the accolades being poured on the Governor are justified. “Both Government that awarded the contract and the contractor have done well,” he asserted. “I am scoring them high because of the quality work being done on the road. We are really happy as business and other social activities have picked up. Okowa is God sent. And we will remain grateful to him for remembering us. For me, I would wish he remains in office as long as it is possible. He is a good man with a kind heart and listening ears.”

Residents of the various communities serviced by the Oza-Nogogo-Alisimie Road (Ika South Local Government) which has experienced monumental transformation are also thanking God for Governor Okowa for coming to their rescue. Pa Julius Irabor, Ogisi of Oza-Nogogo declared that their decades of suffering had finally come to an end with the construction of the road.

He disclosed that they had made several representations to previous administrations, as far back as the defunct Mid-Western region. “I am an old man who has been part of decades of struggle for government to pay attention to this road, all to no avail. But I am glad that I am alive to witness this great thing happening to our community. For Okowa to stand by the promise he made to my people during his campaign visit to this community proves he is a good man and a leader that should be trusted. The governor has opened up our community to the outside world. We are indeed grateful to him and the state government.”