Delta commences construction of N14 billion Koko-Ogheye Road
Emmanuel Uduaghan
Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has flagged off the construction of the 15 kilometer Koko-Ogheye road, an NDDC project estimated to N14.9 billion.
While flagging off the first phase of the project, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan commended the Itsekiri leaders who fought selflessly to bring their aspiration to reality stressing that Hon. Daniel Reyenieju representing Warri Federal constituency in the House of Representative and former NDDC Chairman Chief Timi Alaibe did their best to see that the project was approved and added to this year's budget.
“The struggle for this project to be approved, included in the budget and get NDDC to handle it was a long struggle. I thank all our elders that the project becomes a reality," he said.
He explained that the importance of the construction of the Koko-Ogheye road is that it would open the road to the most important fishing terminal in the country adding that it was the desire of his administration to see that the terminal is revived to boost economic development.
Speaking further, he noted that his administration was committed to infrastructure development in order to make the state an economic hub and empower Deltans, adding, “The infrastructure put on ground in the state is to ensure the economic development of the state and as a government we want Delta state to become an economic hub in the Country."
Dr. Uduaghan advised the contractors handling the project to award contracts to local contractors from the area in order to avoid friction and protest with the host community explaining that peaceful environment was needed for their job to progress.
He also assured the indigenes of the area especially those that have property that would be destroyed in the course of the construction work that, the state Government will compensate them and urged them to cooperate with the company in ensuring peace in the area.
In a welcome address, the member Representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representative Hon. Daniel Reyenieju commended the effort of Itsekiri leaders who started the struggle for the construction of the road 50 years ago stressing that their dream has become a reality.
He explained that the project when completed would change the life and destiny of the people in the area/state and appealed to the indigenes of Koko to see the project as their own rather than asking for compensation from the Government.
Hon. Reyenieju assured the people that he and Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Chairman House Committee on NDDC would do their best to ensure that fund for the project was made available for speedy completion.
“I thank NDDC for the effort in handling this project, I assure Deltans especially Warri North Local Government indigenes that my brother Hon. Mutu and I will continuously lobby to get funding for the completion of this project," he said.
Hon. Reyenieju's award “Warri Federal Constituency Award” for selfless service was given to leaders who fought for the actualization of the Koko-Ogheye road for the past 50 years and presented to them by the Governor.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees Prince K.B. Omatseye and Mr. J.O. Ayomike thanked God for the realization of the struggle they started 50 years ago and commended all that took part in the struggle especially the Olu of Warri, the Warri Progressive Society among others.
“I salute the Olu of Warri for his courage in this struggle. He called me to his palace many years ago at the peak of the struggle and told me that he will continue the struggle to ensure that the road becomes a reality," he said.
He commended the PDP administration for their developmental stride in the country and state saying,“PDP is the only Government that thinks about the riverine and grassroots people. We thank PDP for this project.
In a related development, Governor Uduaghan has commissioned chains of projects executed by the Warri North local government in Koko.
The projects include a Primary Health care centre, a recreation centre, a jetty and 12 lock up stores, 53 banana boats containing 8 horse powerYamaha marine engine, two bundle of fishing nets in each boat and a working capital of N50,000.00 for each beneficiary.
He also commissioned a 200kv generating set to provide electricity to four selected riverine areas in the local Government.
In a brief remark, the Governor commended the good work of the local Government Chairman in developing and empowering the people of his Council.
He noted that if the local Government Councils in the state are diligently performing their duties, then the state would move forward saying “I am happy to commission these projects, Warri North Council is doing well, and that is why my administration is ensuring that Local Government Chairmen do their work. If they are working well the state will have less problem. This Local Government is the most peaceful in the state”.
Dr. Uduaghan commended the youths in the area for accepting the amnesty programme and promised that the federal government would continue to religiously implement the post amnesty programme.
His words, “Federal Government has taken the amnesty programme important, and has looked into the lapses in the programme with the intention to improve on the programme. It is our responsibility as youths to embrace this programme, let us be patient with the federal government and embrace peace, we will benefit from the progamme."
He appealed to politicians to avoid violence in their quests for political position even as he said that leadership comes from God saying “let us not play God, it is only God that gives position. I am making this special appeal, so that we do not think we can only use violence to get position”.
Highpoint of the occasion was the handing over of the two engine boat keys with the N50, 000.00 working capital to Mr. Samuel Agbelefibe and Mrs. Oriro Port-Harcourt.
In his brief remarks the Chairman of the local Government Council Hon. Godwin Ebosa said he was committed to uplift the living stand of the people and promised to carry out more infrastructure development in the area.
He commended the governor for his developmental strides in the state and promised that his local government would continue to key into the three point agenda of the Uduaghan's administration.
“Warri North will consistently key into the three point agenda of this administration. We are grateful for the developmental stride of your administration in the state especially the Polytechnic sited in Abigborodo, it will develop the area," he said.