The claimants of the Phase ‘2a’ (comprising Asaba, Ibusa and Okpanam) of the ongoing 2nd Niger Bridge, in Oshimili South and North Local Government Areas of Delta State, have been and groaning the deliberate refusal of the Federal Government to pay their compensations for the vast lands and properties confiscated for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge.
The claimants, mainly indigenes of Delta State, that kicked against alleged neglect of their concerns by the Federal Government, disclosed that they had through a letter in December 2018 pleaded with the Federal Government to facilitate the prompt payment of their compensations.
The claimants, who were affected by the construction of the second Niger Bridge, stated that the Federal Government had failed in paying adequate compensation to them.
Addressing the Press at the Asaba side of the 2nd Niger Bridge, on Tuesday, 22 March, 2022, the Claimants of Phase 2a said “We in Asaba , Ibusa and Okpanam have been barred from access to our properties at the center line of the connecting road to the second Niger Bridge.
“We registered our protest to the office of the Hon. Minister Works and Housing (Babatunde Fashola, SAN) through a letter dated 7th of December 2018 received in his office on the 11th of December 2018 against the delay in receiving our compensation from the Federal Government at this location.
“We were assured by his permanent Secretary that our compensation would be paid once the BPE approved the link road project. This expected approval was made on the 19th of May 2019. Regrettably, we have patiently waited since after this approval yet we have not been paid till date.
“We have observed at Okpanam, Ibusa and Asaba end, a resumption of work at this end of 2nd Niger bridge link road.
“As we speak, work has since resumed at phase 2A of the link road since 7th of December 2021.
“It’s however unbelievable that property owners at this chain have not still been paid.
“Many of these property owners have died but their families have to continue with their lives. We know that our president has the compassion and feel of the masses plight. We urge our president to intervene as a matter of urgency.” They added.
The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, Dr (Mrs) Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, has reiterated her resolve to rid the College of untoward vices and reposition it to pursue the core mandate establishing the institution and make it a citadel of teaching and learning towards attaining academic excellence.
Dr. (Mrs.) Anene-Okeakwa spoke to our Correspondent who visited her office to clarify issues surrounding a recent publication by an online medium, accusing her of dissolving the Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit of the College (ACTU) (an ICPC-watchdog in tertiary institutions) and suspending its chairman for exposing some sharp practices involving a senior lecturer in the College, dismissed the allegations as false and unfounded.
According to the Provost, “This is a lie from the pit of hell, I have never interfered in anything concerning any Panel of Enquiry’s assignments. There are limits to what a Provost can do in a College setting; the Council has much more powers to take some punitive measures against senior staff who go overboard.”
“As Provost, I have no power to disband ACTU, and I know very well the limit of my powers. It may interest you to know that I am a product of the system. I have been in Management for years as Head of Department, Dean of School, Deputy Provost, Governing Council Member, and now Provost. So I have garnered enough experiences to know how the system operates, the powers and limitations of Provost.”
“I couldn’t have dissolved ACTU and as a matter of fact I did not. The truth is that Governing Council of the College in a meeting held recently looked into the petitions and reports arising from and against ACTU. Council in its wisdom took steps to refocus the body on its core mandate. You may wish to interact with ACTU Chairman and members. Please go and hear from them directly”.
In an attempt to get reactions from staff with regards to the administration of the College, some of them attested to the fact that Dr. Anene-Okeakwa has been exceptional in leadership and administration.
Those who gave their opinions on conditions of anonymity, affirmed that certain academic members of the College are not happy with her excellent record of progress in academic and infrastructural developments, and so bent on tarnishing her image to render her achievements worthless.
They even gave an instance when she had to discipline her own son who is a staff of the College over a trivial matter, confirming the popular assertion that she is a thorough disciplinarian.
Several attempts were made to speak to ACTU Chairman, Mr Samuel Ilabor for his own side of the story but proved abortive as he didn’t pick calls put across to him through his mobile phone.
However, a member of ACTU who pleaded anonymity said, “Things have not being going well in ACTU for some time now. As I speak with you many of us have resigned as ACTU members because the Chairman practically turned ACTU into a weapon of blackmail and Vendetta.”
“Most times he cajoles us into helping to settle his personal scores with staff of the College, instigating malicious petitions and stage managed investigations. On moral grounds Mr Ilabor is not fit to serve as ACTU Chairman because he was Vice Chairman in our Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society for eight years. His regime is being investigated by EFCC/ICPC for fraudulent embezzlement, diversion/misappropriation of over #150million.”
“Mr Ilabor was Chairman of Land Committee and we were told in Congress that the bulk of fraud was perpetrated in Land transactions, apart of Loan of over #5million he fraudulently obtained using his wife as proxy! You can see where ACTU problem started. The Chairman was using us to fight his battles! When we realized this we all resigned on moral grounds.”
“The last stroke that broke the Carmel’s back was his latest campaign of calumny and vendetta against Dr O. E. Okonta a highly reputable Chief Lecturer and Governing Council Member. Mr Ilabor dragged ACTU into his personal squabbles with Dr Okonta over School of Science Deanship politics and College Staff Cooperative politics. All Ilabor’s allegations and petitions against Dr Okonta using fictitious names turned out to be fabricated, malicious, all tainted in bad blood. How can we continue in a noble body like ACTU with a character like Mr Ilabor as Chairman, a serial blackmailer?”
On whether the Provost dissolved ACTU as published online, another ACTU member who also didn’t want her name on print for fear of harassment an intimidation, said it was a mere propaganda they were all there at the Meeting of ACTU with Governing Council.
“We were invited following reports and petitions emanating from and against ACTU. ACTU Chairman had instigated an amorphous petition against Dr Okonta and purportedly carried out a Kangaroo investigation submitted to Governing Council. At the Meeting, the Provost did not even comment on the matter.”
“So I wonder where the allegation that Provost dissolved ACTU emanated from. The ACTU members themselves promptly disowned Ilabor’s report against Dr Okonta having discovered it was all malicious, baseless, vindictive. We pleaded with Council to pardon us because we were misled and manipulated as weapon of vendetta against Dr Okonta.”
“There and then ACTU members realized they had derailed substantially; instead of pursing its core mandate as anti-graft agency and watchdog against corruption, they veered into partisanship. It was at this point that the Provost lent her voice pleading with Council to pardon the flagrant violation of extant College/Public service rules and code of conduct caused by Mr Ilabor.”
As the 2023 elections in Nigeria draws nearer by the day, politicains are engaging critical stakeholders of their interest not just to be in the race but to be the candidate to clinch the ticket for their parties.
A frontline aspirant, a grassroot politician and Governorship hopeful, Sen.James Manager will be engaging Party leaders and delegates across the 25 local government areas in the state.
James Manager
While speaking to the media in Asaba by a core support group for Manager, EBIOWOU WENE OGBO INTERNATIONAL said his Principal Sen.Manager has offered himself to serve Deltans due to his wealth of experience he has garnered over the years he has served the state and the nation at large.
Sen.Manger has been consistently known as a party man to the core. His legacies overtime has enabled him to build remarkable bridges of unity among the ranks and files in our dear party. He has faithfully served our party the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) from 1999 as pioneer Chairman that laid the unshakeable and unbroken structure which successive leaders are building on.
His unflinching antecedents as commissioner in the state and his subsequent elevation to serve as senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria has truly carved a niche for him to greatly impact on deltans at the various positions.
A lawyer by profession, a reputable legislator, a man of the people with a passion to always deliver good governance at all times.
My dear Delegates, we solicit your support to consider Sen. James Manager as the next governor of Delta State as the primary election thickens by the day. He is trusted and tested in all his several portfolios. He is experienced, industrious, innovative, proactive and ditribalised.
A vote for Senator James Manager is a vote for credible governance!
Thousands of supporters of the Majority Leader and Honorable Member representing Isoko South Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Ferguson Onwo, yesterday passed a vote of confidence in him for his sterling performance in his first tenure, urging him to contest for same position in the 2023 general election.
The people who thronged the Lawmaker’s country home in Olomoro in their numbers, said Onwo has within a short period of representing them, demonstrated that truly government can work for and in the interest of the common man.
Speaking during the event, a former Leader of Isoko South Legislative Arm and current Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, said, “We have seen the Majority demonstrate true leadership both at home and in his support for the Speaker in the management of the affairs of the House. We are proud to see our son hold a position as strategic as that of the leader of the House. “
“During this short period of his representation, we have witnessed development first hand across all the wards in the Constituency. Even as a first timer Hon. Onwo has been able to execute at least 2 projects in all the 6 wards of our constituency. His emergence as the Majority Leader which is something very unusual in the political permutations, indicates that he is a man highly favored by God,” he added.
On his part, a Port Harcourt-based Lawyer and philanthropist Barr. (Chief) Afahokor Duncan who spoke on behalf of his Umeh community, said Hon. Onwo as a representative had during his electioneering campaign in 2019, promised the people of Umeh Community some projects. He said several of the projects has been completed and others are currently ongoing.
Afahokor who is the Administrator of the pan-Isoko advocacy page on Facebook, declared that himself and other constituents across the wards in the constituency has resolved to purchase the nomination and expression of interest form for the Lawmaker to further indicate the level of seriousness and support for his second term agenda.
In his response, the Majority Leader who doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said he was overwhelmed by the commendations and supports, thanking the people for the huge confidence reposed in him. He said the mammoth crowd that gathered in his honour was a rare privilege which he would never take for granted. He appealed to the people to give him more time to consider their requests as he is presently occupied with the mandate given to him in 2019.
“I have actually thought of presenting my scorecard to constituents very soon to unvail what i have achieved so far in this period of my administration but I’m overwhelmed today hearing leaders recounting some of my projects in their various wards which shows a sign of contentment, however on the part of calling me to run for second term i want to state here that a day is coming that I’ll respond to the call, i want to appeal to you all to allow me some little time even as I cons=tinue to serve in the mandate you willingly gave me in 2019.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion were Chief Daniel Jamaho, Chief Gabriel Erueme, Barr. Mrs Rose Uwhubiti and Chief Sunny Akpotu,
Leading the local Government legislative arm to the event was the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Dickson Osifo. Other councilors present include, Hon Blessing Emiakumor representing Igbide Ward 07B Majority Leader Isoko South Legislative Arm, Hon. Silver Onuje Ewhese representing Igbide Ward 07B, Hon Tony Osima- representing Aviara Ward, Hon Joyce Emuakpor representing Uzere Ward 05, Hon Millo Ojobor- Erowa/Umeh ward, Hon Godspower Odhomi- Olomoro Ward 09, Hon Kingsley Oghenemaro Ologbo representing Olomoro Ward 10, Hon. Samson Ovunuwerodi representing Okpolo/ Enhwe Ward 09, Hon. David Ezede supervisory councilor for works Isoko South LGA.
Former Nigeria’s international football players on Saturday visited APC National leader Bola Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi Lagos to congratulate him on his 70th birthday which comes up on March 29.
The ex-Super Eagles players that visited are Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Dosu Joseph, JJ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West, Uche Okechukwu, Obafemi Martins, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba and Mutiu Adepoju.
While speaking, Kanu Nwankwo who instituted the Kanu Heart Foundation disclosed that the first seed money for that initiative was donated by Tinubu in 2002.
“Without that money, there wouldn’t have been Kanu Foundation to perform the heart surgeries that have saved many lives,” he said.
Pastor Taribo West who lead the prayer prayed that Nigeria be blessed with more kind hearted people like Tinubu while wishing him well in the presidential race.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has secured the overwhelming endorsement and unanimous approval of his people and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, to re-contest the House of Representatives seat, in the 2023 general elections.
Elumelu’s endorsement was sequel to his consultation visits over the weekend to the critical stakeholders of his party, the PDP, in the four Local Government Area of the Federal Constituency, where he formally declared his intention to re-contest for the seat in the 2023 general elections
Elumelu, who currently represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was accorded a resounding reception befitting royalty, by the Party leaders and critical stakeholders in each of the Local Government Areas of Aniocha North, Oshimili South, Aniocha South and Oshimili North respectively.
Addressing the leaders of the Party, Elumelu noted that the timing of the consultative visit followed the approval of the PDP guidelines for the 2023 general election by the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
“Having approved the guidelines by virtue of the Electoral act and having so complied, it becomes very imperative and a must for us to pick up our forms. Of course, I cannot pick up the forms when you have not given me the mandate to do so. We have only between Thursday 17th and Sunday 20th to do that and that why I have come to consult with you in that regard.
Elumelu revealed how the Principal Secretary to the Delta State Governor single handedly purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for him but that he decided not to pick the forms until he had received the approval of his people; a mandate which was overwhelmingly given to him in the four Local Government Areas.
The federal lawmaker used the opportunity of the massive gathering of his people to brief them of his activities in the House of Representatives. He also explained in details, the three gender bills which the House of Representatives has returned for reconsideration.
The bills include those on indigeneship by marriage, citizenship by marriage for foreign women married to Nigerian men as well as Affirmative action which seeks to amend section 223 of the constitution to provide 5% affirmative action to ensure women occupy at least 35% in political party administration.
On Affirmative action, the Minority leader said that the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has already commenced with the implementation in the State.
“I am happy to inform you that your Son, His Excellency the humble and working Governor of our dear State has started implementing it one by one. Today, we have more women now as councilors in the Local Government in Delta State and it is compulsory for a woman to be Local Government Vice Chairman in our State.
“So, I told them that in Delta State we are already practicing it, but for the purposes of making it universal, we will support the bill to scale through,” the Minority leader assured.
On who takes over from the incumbent State Governor in 2023, Elumelu pleaded with the critical stakeholders to be circumspect and united in searching for a suitable candidate who can leverage on the achievements of Governor Okowa to further lift the State forward
While commending his constituents for their continuous prayers and support for him, Elumelu affirmed that his representation, particularly his intervention in infrastructural and human capital development, has in no small measure, put the Aniocha/Oshimili in the front burner of socio-economic and political development in Nigeria.
He also affirmed that his empowerment programme for 2021 is ready and awaiting a date by Governor Okowa, who is expected to hand over the empowerment items to beneficiaries.
“The empowerment we did last year was for 2020. The 2021 empowerment is ready. We are going to march to the Cenotaph in a few days to collect our empowerment items,” he announced.
Stakeholders in the four Local Government Areas, all applauded Elumelu’s impressive performance in the National Assembly and collectively endorsed him to contest for re-election into the House of Representatives in the forthcoming general election.
While unanimously endorsing him to re-contest under the PDP, the critical stakeholders appreciated Hon. Hillary Ibegbulem for helping the people of the Federal Constituency to procure the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the Minority Leader.
They mandated Hon. Elumelu to, without delay, accept the forms, while assuring his of their support at every level of his aspiration
Elumelu was overwhelmingly received at each of the Local Government Areas by party leaders, ward executive members, Local Government Executive members, leaders and members of the Legislative arms and massive turnout of youths in the Federal Constituency.
Hon. Efe Ofobruku, receiving blessings from UPU leaders
It was a resounding display of competence and capacity to govern Delta State on Friday when a leading aspirant for the 2023 governorship race in the state, Hon Efe Ofobruku, met with the committee constituted by the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, to interact with the governorship aspirants from Delta Central Senatorial District.
Delta State
The committee, headed by the UPU President-General, Olorogun Moses Taiga, comprised of representatives from the academia, clergy, women and chairman of the forum of Urhobo President-Generals.
Ofobruku, a two-time lawmaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative matters told the committee that part of what he intends to do differently is to change the narrative as regards the economy and social development of the state is putting in place a system of government he termed “Entrepreneurial Governance”.
“Bearing in mind all of these that, we will be able to key into the existing development plan of the state government having served in different capacities in the state. We will be re-engineering the system and processes in the state.
“We will run a system of government whereby government creates the enabling environment and the private sector drives the economic activities of the various sectors of the economy hence creating jobs, creating wealth and making taxes available to the government.
This is because by creating jobs the people will pay tax, by creating wealth those who are creating wealth will pay tax for the government to have funds to work with to address other socio-economic issues that are the responsibility of the government,” said Ofobruku.
The outspoken politician from Uvwie Local Government Area seized the opportunity of his meeting with the UPU committee to address the issue of ‘One Belle’ and youths begging all over the streets of Asaba.
“The existing government has designed a template already for wealth creation by making sure that people acquire skills but this time around we intend to take it to a new level by setting up a TASK TEAM that will first and foremost, interact with those shortlisted before they embark on the Skills acquisition programme.
“When they are shortlisted, before they are trained, they will have to pass through the TASK TEAM.
I have personally realised that some people who are sent on these Skills acquisition trainings are not interested.
So, we have a situation where people go for Skills acquisition, they are given Starter Packs and they sell them.
“The TASK TEAM will filter out those who do not want to acquire skills and take a step further to know their area of interest and strength so as to integrate them into the system through other means.
“On the issue of most of our youths getting involved in Yahoo, Yahoo or Yahoo Plus. What we call Yahoo is hacking; they hack into the databases of banks, individuals, large corporations and transfer funds.
“We intend to set up Delta State model of Sìlicon Valley where these young men with such skills will be brought together so that the hacking skill can be harnessed.
Because we believe that if they can design the algorithm to hack, with minimun training they can also create the algorithm that will serve as antidote which in the information technology world is called a Firewall to block hacking and secure data.
Such firewall can be licensed, patented and patent right paid to the developer by which both the youths and government will be making money.”
Continuing, Ofobruku told the UPU to be wary of some gladiators that are in the field now saying some of them have pending court cases, on the watchlist of EFCC, have cases of forgery and even lying under oath.
He said, “Among those who are gladiators in the race, I present myself as the only one without blemish.
It will be a disaster and a great disservice to the entire Urhobo nation if, at the end of the day, we get a candidate, who wins the primary and is disqualified either after the primary or after winning the general election.
“So, if we must go to the battle, we must go with a candidate that has taken time to prepare for the job, that has read, that has also cut his teeth politically. Among all those who are aspiring today, I am the only one that has won elections under the most difficult circumstances in the state.
“Let UPU look at the credentials of some these gladiators ahead of time and if possible they can reach out to the relevant authorities and check if actually, these people have what they are parading.”
Following the brilliant presentation of Ofobruku, the UPU PG, Olorogun Taiga and his committee members who were overwhelmed intermittently clapped for Ofobruku during the interaction due to the fact that among those who presented themselves to the committee he was the only one who could address every issue using the Urhobo dialect and English Language perfectly.
This was very instructive to the UPU committee because some of the governorship aspirants who have appeared before it could not articulate issues using the local dialect and some even struggled with speaking English Language.
The UPU PG prayed for Hon Efe Ofobruku, wished him well and hoped that his party leadership and members and indeed Deltans will decide in his favour.
Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for the 2023 general elections, the Aniocha North Local Government Area (ANLG) of Delta State Chapter of the Party, have unanimously resolved not to adopt any gubernatorial or legislative aspirant, unless the leader of the Party in the State, Governor Ifeany Okowa gives a direction.
The PDP leaders/stakeholders in ANLG, who added that any leader /stakeholder doing otherwise, would be doing so on his or her own without their support, disclosed this in a 10-point communique raised and duly signed by 28 leaders including some aspirants after two enlarged stakeholders meetings held at the country home of Prof. Sylvester Monye, MFR, Senior Policy Adviser to Governor Okowa, in Onicha-Ugbo.
The communique disclosed that the PDP in Aniocha North retrospectively considered their past performances in primaries and general elections that were characterised by intrigues, group clashes, infighting, alleged rigging and near permanent enmity which had always resulted to low voters turnouts, as a concomitant effect of the apathy at polls, thereby performing poorly in overall elections in the State.
The communique, which was signed by, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Emma Bazim Chinye, Jaunty Okwudi, Dr Val Okafor, Barr. Callistus Nwawolo, Dan Okenyi, Engr. Modungwo Austine, Andy Offor, Dr. Michael Nwoko, Adam Anyasi, Barr. Tonnie Nwaokwu, Paul Nmah, Engr. Fidel Onwordi, Prince Uzoma Idaboh and others, rejected any consensus arrangement for the House of Assembly under any guise.
See Communique:
“The two editions of Aniocha-North PDP Leaders/Stakeholders meeting held at the country home of Professor Sylvester Monye, MFR, the Senior Policy Adviser to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa retrospectively considered our past performances in both primaries and general elections, characterized by intrigues, group clashes, in-fighting, alleged rigging and almost permanent enmity which have always resulted to low voters turn-out as a concomitant effect of apathy at the polls, thereby contributing very little to the overall fortunes of the party in Delta State.
“In the two meetings, which were also well attended by aspirants of mostly House of Assembly, unanimously resolved as follows:
That we shall not rush to adopt any gubernatorial aspirant, unless the leader of PDP in the State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gives us a direction. Any leader or stakeholder doing otherwise will be doing so on his or her own without our support.
2. That for House of Assembly primaries, we shall no longer accept any form of consensus arrangement under any guise.
3. That we shall no longer accept any form of manipulation, geared towards rigging.
4. That all aspirants who have purchased nomination and expression of interest forms from PDP shall be entitled to participate in the primaries.
5. That the primary election shall be free, fair and transparent.
6. That all aspirants shall undertake to support whoever emerges from the primaries.
7. That all aspirants shall continue to support PDP in all activities whether they lose or win.8. That leaders/stakeholders shall continue to support PDP by upholding her policies, guidelines, directives and the Constitution of the party.
9. That this communique shall be transmitted to the following:
i. The Governor of Delta State, Send. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
ii. The Chairman, PDP, Delta State.
III. The Chairman, PDP, Delta North Senatorial District.
iv. The Chairman, PDP, Aniocha North LGA.
v. All PDP House of Assembly aspirants.
10. That this communique shall be endorsed to buttress its validity by the following Leaders and stakeholders, including aspirants for the State House of Assembly.
Delta Government says $40 million dollars is to be injected for the upgrade of agricultural activities at Songhai Delta in Amukpe under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu disclosed this on Friday at Government House, Asaba, while briefing journalists on some of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Aniagwu said Songhai Delta would be upgraded in a joint venture between the state government and a consortium of firms to achieve set goals.
He added that the State Exco equally approved the upgrade of facilities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, for effective hosting of the 2021 National Sports Festival to be hosted in the state in November, this year.
To further provide accommodation for athletes for the Sports Festival, the Commissioner said, 700 bed space hostel was approved for construction at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
He added that approval was given for the furnishing and equipping of the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Centre as well as Mother and Child Centre, Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.
In the area of roads infrastructure, Aniagwu disclosed that the State Exco approved the construction of access road to the Model Technical College, Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area as well as the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Onicha-Ugbo/Udumuje-Ugboko Road in Aniocha North.
According to him, Exco also approved the rehabilitation of internal roads in Oghara and Ofagbe, James Ezechi Road, Okpai in Ndokwa East, Achalla Ibusa Road in Oshimili North and Ilabor Road, Igbodo in Ika North-East among others.
The Commissioner added that Exco approved the furnishing and equipping of the leisure park and film village, Asaba.
In the area of empowerment and skills acquisition, he said approval was given for the third cycle of the Rural Youth Skills Acquisition Programme (RYSA) for 2022 to accommodate 810 youths in the state.
Under Delta Cares Scheme, Aniagwu said Exco approved areas one and two to take care of vulnerable groups and FADAMA project to meaningfully engage youths in partnership with the World Bank.
He said it was agreed at the Exco that members of the State Executive Council should redouble their efforts in the finishing strong agenda of the state government.
“At today’s Exco, a number of road projects cutting across the three senatorial districts were considered.
“For some, we have to embark on total reconstruction, for others they are entirely new projects and yet for some, they are for rehabilitation in addition to the upward review of some of the projects on account of fluctuations in prices and off course in some other areas, extension of the work that needed to be done.
“But that is not all. Beyond the roads, we also considered some other programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and indeed, improving the living conditions of our people.
“I will start with the issue of roads. At today’s Exco, we approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Onicha-Ugbo/Idumuje Ugboko Road in Aniocha North Local Government Area and we believe that that will add to the urban renewal drive of the state government in that area.
“We also approved the construction of more hostels in the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Issele-Uku. It is a 700 bed space hostel in addition to the ones we had built in the camp before.
“We are also hopeful that this will be carried out on time so that that facility would likely be available for us to deplore in the course of the National Sports Festival which is coming up in the state in November, this year.
“We are hopeful that the contractor that will handle that project will be fast enough so that we can take advantage of that hostel.
“We also approved the furnishing and equipping of the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Centre and Mother and Child Centre in Owa-Alero,” the Information Commissioner said.
Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Tuesday, said he was inspired by Almighty God to contest and assume the Governorship of Delta State in 2023 just as he reiterated that he “came into government by divine orchestration”.
Otuaro, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba during the inauguration of his campaign office along DBS road, Asaba, said: “My inspiration to contest the governorship position is divine. It defies explanation with ordinary words. God, who is interested in Delta State, is giving us support. The responses we got from the consultation moves round the state were amazing and unprecedented”.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that since he came into government as Deputy Governor, “God has been faithful. We’ve been steering the ship of state. The Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta State administration has done well as exemplified in the height of infrastructural development”, adding: “I have a robust relationship with Governor Okowa who has been like an elder brother that he is. Indeed, what binds us together is fear of the Almighty God whose direction he seeks on the issue of succession. One sterling remark the Governor made on the issue of succession is that if we don’t do it God’s way, we won’t succeed. Let me tell you that I am prepared and chosen to take over the mantle of leadership of Delta State in 2023. Going forward, we are going to see an industrialized Delta State with more jobs. The blueprint will be out soon”.
Fielding question on whether he was not disqualified by the senatorial power rotation agreement in Delta State, Otuaro said his principal, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had long cleared the air when he said a formal senatorial zoning arrangement is not to his knowledge.
“I stand to identify with that. The Governor has been a longer player in the polity. He has therefore assured that he is going to give level playing field to all aspirants. Besides, the enabling laws of Nigeria gives me franchise, gives me right to contest”, Otuaro posited.
Otuaro said ahead of pursuit of his ambition, he informed his boss, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who wished him well, stressing: “Recent rumour that His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa asked him to step down from the governorship race remain in the realm of rumours that have no space in our drive”.
Otuaro assured that with the support of God he is enjoying: “Jinxes are meant to be broken. With God helping, I’ll break the long jinx of Deputy Governors not making into Governors in the polity. Beneath people like me with quiet and peaceful exteriors, as perceived by the public, usually lie strength”.
By Bulou Kosin
Senior Special Assistant, Press and Communication to the Deputy Governor of Delta State
