Delta Govt to take care of Children of Stampede Victim
Delta state government is to cater for the educational and material needs of the children of Mrs Victoria Okodaso, the woman who died in a stampede at the weekend during the South-South PDP Presidential rally in Port Harcourt.
The state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who announced this when he paid the family of the deceased a condolence visit in Ughelli said the state government will also take responsibility for the burial arrangements of the woman.
Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan said the state government will assist the children until they become self reliant. His words “The state government will assist the children until they stand on their own. I know that the woman was the bread winner of the family and we will make sure that she did not die in vain”.
He conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the President Goodluck Jonathan to the family and explained that the President was deeply pained about the death of the woman.
The governor said the deceased died for democracy and her death should motivate the political class to stand and work hard for the strengthening and sustenance of democracy in the country.
Dr Uduaghan, who described the incident as an anti climax, lamented the timing of her death.
He disclosed that he shelved his trip to Katsina because of the deceased's death and enjoined the family not to question God especially as God was all knowing.
The deceased's son Master Ruben Okodaso thanked the Governor for the visit and said the mother's death shocked them.
Meanwhile, Governor Uduaghan has summoned contractors and site engineers handling the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriage way project to a meeting in Asaba next week to enable them answer questions on the slow pace of the project.
Dr Uduaghan who summoned the contractors while inspecting the project expressed dismay over the slow manner some of the contractors were executing the project.
He charged the contractors to accelerate work on the project even as he disclosed that the meeting will determine his next line of action. His words “I am not satisfied at the slow manner this project is being executed. The contractors should work fast as this project has great economic potential”
The Governor however appealed to communities where projects are located not to allow the payment of compensation delay such projects.
Dr Uduaghan who promised that his administration will not shy away from payment of compensation directed the contractors and site engineers to redesign areas of the project that attracted payment of huge compensation.
He told them to promptly handle the redesign so that it will not be an excuse to delay of the project.
Speaking further he said “Redesign this project. Do not allow payment of compensation to delay this project and this should be done quickly”.
The governor who stopped briefly at St Theresa's Girls school engaged the students in interactive discourse in mathematics, social studies, Economics and Current Affairs.
He moved from class to class wishing them happy Valentine and enjoined them to abstain from Immoral acts. Also, he charged them to be hardworking to enable them succeed in life .
Dr Uduaghan said that lazy students do not excel in school.