Much has been said about the political supremacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, since 1999 till date, wherein Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, gave their best between 1999 and 2015, before the incumbent governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, took over the mantle of leadership.
In recent times, however, tongues have been wagging, making all sorts of comparison in terms of who did what, who did better and who should be tagged the best among the three democratically elected governors within the aforementioned period.
Speaking during a phone-in live programme on Radio in Lagos on Wednesday, Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, said his boss the governor Okowa “performed creditably well and will be handing over as a fulfilled man on May 29, to another consummate leader, patriot, democrat and Governor-Elect, Sheriff Oborevwori, the Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom.”
In his words, “Okowa’s administration embarked on star projects and ensured that the jobs were executed according to specifications, standards and delivered on schedule in accordance with contractual obligations while other projects are ongoing, the governor had to block financial leakages, flush out ghost workers and repositioned the civil service for effective and efficient service delivery.”
Oghenesivbe who is also the Spokesperson of Delta State Campaign Council of PDP, said Okowa’s administration raised the stake higher in good governance through notable legacy projects like; the seven star Delta State Secretariat built and equipped at a cost of over N18 billion, as well as the world class Stephen Keshi International Stadium, which has been accredited by FIFA as one of the best in Africa.
“The State Secretariat named after His Imperial Majesty, Obi Prof Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, accommodated all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government; with 24/7 IPP Power supply, centralized ICT/Internet Service, a mini hospital, children creche, banks, massive car park, business centre and many more modern world class facilities.
“Okowa administration renovated, rehabilitated and upgraded Asaba International Airport which was downgraded by federal aviation authorities before Gov Okowa was inaugurated in 2015 and the airport has now been rated as one of the busiest commercial flights hub in Nigeria, after the total rehabilitation of the runway and installation of state of the art navigation and radar equipment, as well as the concession of the airport for efficient management and consistent infrastructure development, providing jobs for hundreds of Deltans and residents in the state.” He stated.
Oghenesivbe told his heterogeneous audience that erosion and massive flooding which hitherto destroyed properties worth billions of Naira in years past was tackled decisively by Okowa administration which invested billions of Naira to construct massive underground water tunnels.
“The tunnels transport and empty erosion water into the River Niger from strategic collection points in Okpanam Road, Inter-bua and others, noting that residents of Asaba, the state capital and environ now sleep with their eyes closed during raining seasons because of the good deeds of Gov Okowa.”
The PDP spokesman further said the education sector received a major boost because of the priority attention the Okowa administration accorded it.
“The moribund six Technical Colleges across the three senstorial districts were revamped, equipped and reopened to enhance skills acquisition, human capacity development, devalue emphasis on white collar jobs, and to compliment vocational training and skills acquisition programmes of government under the office of the Chief Job Creation Officer and Bureau for Wealth and Job Creation, namely Yagep, Rysa, Step and Project GEST.” He noted.
Oghenesivbe further disclosed that the Okowa administration embarked on the construction of Technical Colleges, one each in the twenty five local government areas of the state, out of which ten have been completed and commissioned while others are either near completion or at advanced stages.
He added that three Institutions of higher learning were converted to full-fledged Universities; Dennis Osadebey University, Anwai; Delta University, Agbor and Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro; with massive infrastructure development ongoing while academic studies commenced at various approved faculties, Colleges and departments.
The EAC said Governor Okowa also built, equipped and furnished a modern Teachers’ Institute and Federal Road Safety School in the State, to enhance knowledge and upgrade professional skills of Teachers in Nigeria, and to train and retrain Road Safety personnel to reduce accidents in our roads, adding that the governor did all that because of his detribalized leadership style and as a key player in national politics and service to humanity.
In his words, “My Boss the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is no doubt a consummate and visionary leader. He has done excellently well to the admiration of majority of Deltans, except the few propagandists of opposition parties in the state.
“Delta State is in the front burner of national discuss for good, in terms of Governor Okowa’s prudent management of State resources, good governance generally, and in the area of socioeconomic and infrastructure development. Delta prides herself as the pioneer in Contributory Health Scheme in Nigeria, and stands tall above other states as the best in primary health care and quality health care delivery.
“Our students in Institutions of higher learning are very happy because their Bursary is paid as at when due, Teachers are not owed salaries, our Universities lecturers are well paid and do not go on strikes organized by ASUU. Delta is stable academically and four years course does not exceed four years with an hour. Governor Okowa made all these possible in the state.
“The governor’s detractors are simply mischievous, jealous and not sincere. Good politics is when the opposition parties commend some of the good policies, programmes and achievements of the government and party in power.
“If you condemn what is good for all Deltans, majority of the people will not align with you and your party, and that’s why Deltans ignored opposition parties and their propaganda machines and voted PDP in the just concluded governorship election, coupled with the street credibility, competence, humility and the generally accepted M.O.R.E agenda of the Governor-Elect and his Deputy, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme.
“Governor Okowa is finishing strong and he shall handover to another tested and trust leader in the person of Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, JP, the Governor-Elect on May 29.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Gov Okowa is going to handover Delta State to the incoming administration far better than he met it in 2015. Delta is in the fast lane to greatness because of Gov Okowa’s good governance strides and Rt Hon Oborevwori will listen more, do more and achieve more for the state and for Deltans.
“The succession plan is superb. The smooth transition of power is making monumental progress in all fronts.
“There shall be continuity in government and in good governance through the incoming administration’s M.O.R.E agenda, designed and positioned to build on the solid and enduring legacies of Okowa administration,” Oghenesivbe assured.
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