2011: Utuama's Kinsmen Embarrass Uduaghan, Deputy, At Project Commissioning

ASABA, DELTA, May 28, (THEWILL) - Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and his deputy, Professor Utauma were Wednesday embarrassed at Otu-Jeremi, hometown of the deputy governor by angry youths numbering about 50 as the Governor was about commissioning a 4.6 km road project, confirming reports of disaffection and distrust between the governor and the Urhobo ethnic nationality in the state.

THEWILL gathered that the youths patiently waited for the governor and his entourage for some hours at the town gate before storming the venue of the project commissioning where the governor, his deputy, the chairman of the local government and traditional rulers were already seated for the activities of the day.

Shortly after the opening remarks by the Commissioner for Works, Hon. George Ugboma, who said the road project was executed at a total sum of N205 Million, the governor was about to make his speech when trouble started.

The youths accused the governor and his deputy of deceiving the people with commissioning of the projects as most of them were executed by the immediate past governor of the state, Chief James Ibori.

Some of the visibly angry-looking youths who spoke with THEWILL said the roads and two bridges being commissioned by the governor were not Delta state executed projects but by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

They also stated that the past governor (Ibori) had commissioned the Olomu Bridge, which was the third, and challenged the Uduaghan administration to point at any meaningful project it has executed in their area or state, apart from the over-publicized Asaba Airport project, which has no bearing on their community.

The youths, who had earlier vowed to stop the commissioning, immediately swung into action, interrupting the speech of the governor as attempts to calm them down failed until the governor asked them to present their demand.

But the youths got angrier and agitated when the governor asked the Delta state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Goddowell Awomakpa to pray for the deliverance of some of the leaders of the youths who were made to kneel down at the ceremony.

The confusion that followed the action of the youths caused embarrassment to the Deputy Governor, the Chief host of the event, forcing the governor to leave immediately, fearing a possible mob by the irate youths who shouted consistently, 'settle or no show.'

The governor had earlier commissioned a bridge and some stretch of roads at Okhan, with many others lined up as part of his third year anniversary celebration.

THEWILL can also authoritatively report that at Isiokolo, headquarters of Ethiope East council area, the governor in company of his Adamawa counterpart, Murtala Nyako were shocked when they discovered that the General Hospital marked for commissioning was without equipment.

The Hospital was still lying uncompleted but the governor had cut the tape for commissioning when he discovered it was a wasted effort and deceptive to the people.

THEWILL checks further revealed that the contractor, who had been funded to procure the multi-million naira equipments for the hospital absconded with the funds.

The obviously embarrassed Governor Uduaghan quickly blocked his Adamawa visiting counterpart from entering the hospital for any inspection.