- Reminds Governor of Campaign Promises
Less than 22 months to the end of his 8-year administration as Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been reminded of his campaign promises to the Ijaw nation to complete the strategic Ayakoromo bridge among other priority projects in Burutu Local Government Area of the State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a conference call meeting on Monday August 2, 2021, the executive of the Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) Western Zone, also reminded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the need to inject reasonable funds into the upgrade of infrastructure and accreditation of courses at the State School of Marine Technology, Burutu; urgent need for the resettlement of Diebiri Kingdom and the resolution of the lingering communal crisis between Ogbe Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area and Aladja in Udu Local Government Area of the State.
The Council expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of commitment by the Okowa-led administration to the various viable projects in the area and for allegedly turning deaf ears to the hues and cries of Ijaw people on the resettlement of Diebiri.
IYC reminded Gov. Okowa of the massive support the Ijaw people gave to him during his elections and his promises to the people during his campaigns, urging the governor to leave a landmark legacy on the development of Ijaw land as his administration is gradually winding up.
The Communique which was signed by the Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, Chairman, Comrade Olu-Derimon Omaghomi, Secretary and Comrade Lugard Izoukumor, Information Officer of the group, noted that although paucity of funds had always been the major excuse adduced by the government for its failure to complete the bridge and other projects in the past, it has observed that the enhanced position of the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue, as recently alluded to by the State Commissioner for Economic Development, indicates that the government would no longer have any reason to continue to delay the completion of the projects.
The communiqué read in part: The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, Exco held a conference call meeting to deliberate on the 2022 Budget of Delta State Government wherein Council observes by quoting the statement credited to the Hon. Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Barry Gbe where he said that: However, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which for 2021 half year was put at N35 billion is to be scaled up through what we are trying to put in the informal sector so that we can become a little ambitious and then increase it from the N65 billion plus of 2021 to doing N75 billion in 2022.
“Hence, Council resolves that: So far, there was astronomic rise of the Internal Generated Revenue [IGR] in Delta State from N35 billion to N65 billion in 2021, and the government is projecting an IGR N75 billion in 2022, it means that the State Government will not be in complacency to the paucity of funds to the completion of the Ayakoromo bridge.
“To infuse or inject resources for the only tertiary institution in Ijaw community, the Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu, with massive befitting structures in the permanent site and a full accreditation of courses run by the school as well as a conducive learning environment.
“Furthermore, Council reminds Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, of the urgent need for the resettlement of Diebiri Kingdom, and of course, expedite the process for a total commitment to restoration of peace between Ogbe-Ijoh an Ijaw Community in Warri South West Local Government Area and Aladja an Urhobo Community in Udu Local Government Area.
“That Council is not satisfied with Governor Okowas commitment to these very viable projects, and the consistent deaf ears to the cries of Ijaw people for the resettlement of Diebiri, as well as the lingering protracted land dispute between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja Communities.”
While charging Gov. Okowa to leave a landmark legacy in the Ijaw nation before he leaves office in 2023, the IYC reminded the governor of the massive support the Ijaw people gave to him in his elections to become the governor of the State, adding that they were ready to continue in their support of his administration to enable him finish strong.
“Thus, we charge Governor Okowa to reflect on the massive support Ijaw people gave him and urge Governor Okowa to leave a positive landmark such as the completion of these projects (the Ayakoromo bridge, School of Marine, Burutu) before the end of his administration; while, reiterating Councils readiness to continuously support and ensure his administration ends well,” the Communique further reads.
The youth body however called on notable politicians in prominent positions in the country to have the interest of the development and growth of the Ijaw nation at heart, urging them to come back home to impact on the lives of the people in terms of infrastructural development.
“Also, Council charges Ijaw political players to put the interest of Ijaw communities first whereby ensuring they come together to attract home meaningful infrastructural development,” it noted.
The body further disclosed that, although it was aware of the governments genuine effort towards the development of the Ijaw nation, the economic and educational significance of opening up the area in terms of massive infrastructural development could not be over-emphasized.
“The IYC is not in oblivious of Governor Okowa’s trajectory of development in Ijaw Communities. However, Governor Okowa and all well-meaning Deltans should know the economic and education relevance these projects will add to the IGR of Delta State, as it will create ample job opportunities for Delta’s teeming youths and reduce social vices and crimes in the State,” the Communique concluded.
In a chat Chairman, IYC Western Zone, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, said: “Well, our press statement is only but a reminder to Gov. Okowa for the records. As a Council, we have our plans to ensure he completes the Ayakoromor bridge and start the School of Marine Technology permanent site.
“Soon, we shall swing into action. The level the bridge is right now is as a result of a meeting IYC held with him (Gov. Okowa) during his first term.”
Also, speaking with The New Diplomat on phone, an Ijaw Youth leader and Special Assistant to Gov. Okowa on Community Affairs, Comrade Austin Ozobo said as leaders in the community, it is their duty to complain about the problem of the people.
He said it is incumbent on Okowa to complete the construction of the bridge during his tenure, adding that if he is prioritizing projects from other parts of the State, he should also prioritize the completion of the Ayakoromor bridge.
Ozobo emphasized the usefulness of the bridge when completed, saying that it will link the community to the rest of the world.
He said: “As leaders from the place if we dont talk who will talk for the people? It is our duty to tell the governor to do the needful. We cannot shy away from it. Okowa should complete the bridge in his tenure.
“As he is giving attention to other projects, he should also prioritize the completion of Ayakoromor bridge. When completed, the bridge will link Bomadi Local Government, Ughelli South Local Government and Ughelli North Local Government Areas. It will create market, business and other economic opportunities between the rural and urban areas in the State.”
The New Diplomat findings revealed that the Ayakoromor bridge project was initiated by the immediate past administration of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan in the State. Although the contract was awarded in 2013 at a cost of N6,530,223,262.50, only about 50% of the cost was disbursed to the contractor before the end of that administration.
However, as at last year, the erstwhile Commissioner for Works, Mr. James Augoye disclosed that up to 60% of the project had been completed, adding that the delay was caused by paucity of fund.
“The project was awarded in 2013 and has been facing so much funding challenges, but when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa took over in 2015, he decided that this is one of the projects that must be completed in the lifetime of his administration.
“So, it is our desire that this project will be completed and inaugurated before the end of this administration in 2023.
“As you can see, the piling work is almost completed and from the record before me, the contractor has achieved 68.5 percent of the job which means that once the river piling is completed, the job will be delivered in the shortest possible time,” Augoye said.
However, a recent visit by The New Diplomat to the project site in Ayakoromor indicates that work has stopped. Also, no workers were sighted except a few security men.
All efforts to get comments on the projects from the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
