- As Okowa Seeks Delta Assembly’s Approval for Fresh N4 Billion Loan Facility
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has revealed that the nearly N3trillion in revenue which accrued to Delta State in the last 7 years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s PDP Administration, has been squandered with nothing to show for it.
This comes as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has approached the State’s House of Assembly, once again, for approval of an additional loan of N4 billion.
Reacting to the latest loan move, the Deputy Senate President and Delta State APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege accused the Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration of blowing up the trillions in Federal Allocation and 13% Derivation in the last seven years, he noted that the State remains the most pauperized and poverty-stricken amongst the States of the federation.
Reading a letter from the governor requesting for approval for a N4 billion loan during Tuesday’s plenary, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori said that the facility from Globus Bank Limited, or any other financial institution, is meant for the construction of “affordable homes across four locations in Kwale, Ekpan, Ibusa and Owa-Ekei by Family Homes Fund Limited under the proposed National Social Housing Programme.”
While speaking at Otor-Owhe, Isoko North Local Government Area on Wednesday on the occasion of his visit to Isoko Traditional Rulers, Senator Omo-Agege, expressed concern over years of injustice meted out to oil-bearing communities in the state, which bear the brunt of oil prospecting in the state, adding that there was nothing on ground to show for the N2.8 trillion received in the State as revenue.
Omo-Agege whose visit was to formally notify the Isoko Royal Fathers of his intention to contest for the governorship position of the State in the 2023 election, however, promised to complete the Ughelli/Asaba Road amongst other projects, when elected governor of the State in the forthcoming election.
The event which took place at the palace of Odiologbo Okpuzo Romanus Inana, at Otor-Owhe Kingdom, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, was graced by royal fathers from the 19 Isoko clans including the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh Kingdom and Chairman, Isoko Traditional Council of Traditional Rulers, Anthony Ovrawah, Omogha I, amongst others.
Senator Omo-Agege said: “I know the pains of the Isoko people. The only major road that connects the Isoko nation to Ughelli and Asaba is in deplorable condition. It’s a road that has been under construction right from the time of Governor Ibori, through the time of Governor Uduaghan and now to Okowa and the road is still not completed. And we know that roads of about the same kilometres are being constructed within the space of one year by Julius Berger in Akwa Ibom State.
“If you ask them, they give you an excuse that it is a federal road. I am here to commit to Your Majesties that when I become governor, I will use the resources of Delta State Government to complete it. And thereafter apply to Federal Government to give us a refund. If they give us a refund, we are happy. If they don’t, it is still okay. After all, the road is being used by people from Delta State”.
The Delta Central lawmaker decried the neglect of the Isoko people despite being the goose that lays the golden egg.
He accused the Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration of squandering N2.8 trillion in Federal Allocation and 13% Derivation in the last seven years.
“In the last seven and half years, this state has received close to N2.8 trillion by way of Federal Allocation and Derivation from the Federal Government. There is nothing on the ground that is commensurate with what has been received. I am determined if given the opportunity to change this narrative. We are determined to create the enabling environment for jobs and empowerment” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the Odiologbo of Otor-Owhe Kingdom, Okpuzo Inana, decried the deplorable state of roads in Isoko land.
He commended the lawmaker for his contribution to nation-building through quality representation and called for a review of 13 per cent Derivation in favour of host communities.
“You talked about the state of the road from Ughelli to Ozoro and Kwale. That is the summary of the dividends of democracy the Isoko people are enjoying.
“The Isoko people will give you the required support. We will continue to pray for you very fervently. We watch you at the National Assembly. I believe nobody will deny the fact that you are representing your constituency well”, he said.
The royal blessings and prayers were offered by the Ovie of Oleh Kingdom, Anthony Ovrawah, Omagha 1, who wished him success in his political ambition.
The Deputy President of the Senate was accompanied by his running mate and Deputy Chairman of the APC campaign organisation, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi; the state party chairman and Co-Chairman of the campaign organisation, Elder Omeni Sobotie and the Director General and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsdey Orubebe.
Others in the entourage are the Deputy DG and Chief of Staff to the DSP, Dr Otive Igbuzor, the Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Olorogun Ima Niboro; APC Leader, Chief Lucky Isigie, Chief Lucky Okperi, Dr. Chris Oghenechowen, Director Logistics and the APC Delta Central chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, amongst other members of the campaign council.
