Delta: Jonathan Commissions Projects, Assures On N/Delta Master Plan

ASABA, June 20, (THEWILL) - President Jonathan was in Delta State on Saturday on a one-day official visit where he commissioned the University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and the multi-billion Navy Logistic Headquarters, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area but expressed displeasure over the lack maintenance culture of Nigerians.

The President who noted that many infrastructures have decayed as a result of maintenance culture attributed it to what he described as "Nigeria either don’t have the culture to maintain or don’t have the technical-know-how to maintain infrastructures in the country. We can invest and spend money but maintenance has always been a problem probably we don’t have enough manpower or we lack the culture adding that Nigeria is only interested in new procurement without budgeting for maintenance. Let me now tell the Minister of Defence, Chief of Naval Staff and other senior naval officers to protect this project and make good use of it." President Jonathan advised.

Commissioning the State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Jonathan commended the State government for the two projects.

In his brief address at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oghara, HRH Oreki II, the President called for the need to sustain the relatively peace in the region.

At the grand reception held in Asaba the state capital, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan assured people of the Niger Delta region of his administration’s determination to better the lots of the people.

According to the number one citizen, the present administration is "irrevocably" committed to the region's master plan adding that "This administration must develop the Niger Delta region to restore hope in the people. We will assist the NDDC to execute the Niger Delta master plan. I will do anything within my capacity to assist the Delta State government to sustain the tempo of development it has attained."

Dr. Jonathan however commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s developmental strategies in his quest to build a state without oil and the state’s contribution to national economy "Diversification from oil is a task that must be taken seriously by all the Niger Delta states."

Earlier, in his speech, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan while enumerating his giant strides since inception to include the building of Asaba airport AND Asaba/Ughelli/Warri road dualization amongst others thanked and commended the President for his remarkable upliftment of the nation.

Governor Uduaghan charged the federal government to be committed to the completion of Ajaokuta railway project and pledged his total support to the peace and security in the Niger Delta region.

However, it was a big show of shame same day in Asaba, as women under the umbrella of "Uduaghan Ladies Vanguard" numbering over 200 threw decorum to the wind in the glaring eyes of very important invited personalities and embarked on protest over food, drinks and water at the civic reception organized by Delta state government in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan in Asaba.

According to the angry and hungry women whose shout and protest for food, water and drinks caused pandemonium in the over 5,000 sitting capacity Event Center, Asaba, before the arrival of the President to the reception grand said they were brought into the hall since 7:00 AM in the morning and kept for over eight hours waiting for the arrival of the President without food or water.

One of the protesting women who refused to be named said, "Since morning around 7 am this morning we were brought here from different parts of the state waiting for our President to come and the time is past 3pm, and we have not eaten or even drink water or mineral. Are we not human beings, this is why we are shouting and protesting." She said in annoyance.

All efforts by the National president of the group, Mrs. Omawumi Udoh and member of the state House of Assembly as well as other members of the Presidential Visit Committee to bring the situation under control proved abortive until the women were fed.

Those who were on the Presidential entourage were; Governors Adams Oshoimhole, Rotimi Ameachi, Liyel Imoke, Timipre Sylva, Peter Obi and Godwill Akpabio.

Others are Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Paul Dike; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikoi Ishaiye Ibrahim amongst others.

Noticeably absent in Delta was the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe.