By John Oghojafor (South South Bureau chief)
Plans are underway to inaugurate the Sickle Cell project at Okpe Local Government Area embarked upon by the wife of the Delta State governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Edith Okowa, a pet project conceptualized across the state.
This was part of the resolution reached at the meeting of Okpe PDP leaders, elders and political office holders held at the country home of Prof. Sam Oyovbaire on Sunday September 10, 2017.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the closed-door meeting, the leader of the party in the area, Prof. Oyovbaire stated that it was the second of such meetings being held in recent times, adding that it was basically to reaffirm the unity and bond between the party members in the area. He also stated that the meeting was to show appreciation to the governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the overwhelming infrastructural development of the area including several political appointments to the people of the area, adding that they were also appreciative of the making of one of the Okpe sons, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He however noted that one major decision reached at the meeting was the raising of fund to facilitate the inauguration of the governor’s wife pet project on Sickle Cell, pointing out that right on the spot, the Okpe PDP leaders, elders and political appointees were able to voluntarily donate fund far above their estimate to prepare for the inauguration.
“One of the issues that came up at the meeting was the issue of the governor’s wife Sickle Cell project at Orerokpe. It costs a lot of money for the first lady to come and inaugurate that project. And believe you me, in addition to the fantastic contributions which the Speaker and the Commissioner for Works had already made, the show of unity and appreciation came by the voluntary contributions, which we made at that meeting.
“We had estimated N2 million but we overshot that to N3 million which we raised immediately at the meeting. So, we have virtually sent a message to Her Excellency that we are ready for the Sickle Cell project to be inaugurated”, he stated.
Earlier , Prof. Oyovbaire had eulogized the Governor Okowa-led administration in the state, observing that from 1999 till date, Okpe has never had it this good.
“Although we didn’t go along the path of formal moving a vote of confidence as it normally happens elsewhere, everybody is happy that in the past years in the present dispensation since 1999, Okpe Local Government Area has not had it this good”, he noted.
Also commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Chief Robert Onome, noted that it afforded them the opportunity to work harder towards the victory of the PDP. According to him, it was also an opportunity for them to iron out ‘small small problems’ which they also resolved at the meeting.
“We are trying to work towards the victory of PDP. So, we have some small small problems, we have been able to sort them out today. It is a joy that we have met. Everybody has been carried along and I’m satisfied”, he said.
Also speaking, the Unuevworo of Ughoto Community who also attended the meeting as a leader, noted with satisfaction the outcome of the meeting, stressing that it was basically to forge a stronger unity among members of the PDP to overcome their opponents in forthcoming Local Government election in the area.
