Delta State governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured Deltans of his administration intentions to complete all on going projects before he leaves office in next two years.
Governor Okowa with his Edo state counter part, Gov Godwin Obaseki made this comment while commissioning Otughievwen/Okwagbe road and Effurun-Otor bridge in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state.
Governor Okowa who expressed his gratitude to the people of the local government said, “Ughelli South local government is topmost in our government. They supported us in 2015 and again 2019 they delivered me and the PDP despite terse messages that were coming.
“We have two years to go in this administration and it always in my intention to complete what we started, but if we could not finish what we started, the next government will take over but let me assure that we will not make a promise that we not fulfil”.
At Effurun-Otor, Okowa said, “I am happy that what we started few years ago, has brought joy to our people and I am particularly happy.
“I want to commit myself and by the grace of God in 2022, we will complete Ovwor general hospital as we do not intend to abandon any project in the state.
On his part, the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said, “Governor Okowa understands the importance of infrastructures in the communities as the Okwagbe road will connect two major ethnic nationalities, the Ijaws and the Urhobos.
“He is not building only physical bridges, but communities, social and economic bridges across board and I am leaving Ughelli South with fact that the 13 percent derivation is in existence here.”
Earlier in his address, the chairman of Ughelli South, Dr. Richard Kofi commended governor Okowa for alleviating the suffering of Ughelli South people.
He said, “The bad state of the road and bridge has hinder economic growth in the area and by this commissioning it will boost the commercial activities”.
“We suffered when the road awarded by Ambrose Ali in 1980 and was later abandoned by the contractor the community leaders lamented”.
Also speaking the Delta state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye said, “The Otughievwen/Okwagbe road project was awarded in March 2017 and has since been completed in 2019.
“While the Effurun-Otor bridge was initially awarded in 1979 during the 1.5 concession era, in 1991, OMPADEC rewarded it and the contractor did a zero head bridge.
“On March 6, 2017 the contract was re-awarded by the Okowa led administration, the bridge is 100 meter span and a 1km road.
Also speaking, Orovworere of Effurun-Otor Kingdom, HRM Johnson Duke, King Duke II, described Okowa as a listening governor who acts on the genuine demands of the people.
He said with the construction of the bridge, the communities now have direct, seamless and stressless journey to their various destinations.
Representative of Okwagbe communities expressed delight on the inauguration of the road, adding that the community suffered untold neglect and hardship since 1980 when the administration of Professor Ambrose Ali started the project but was abandoned by subsequent administrations.
