Deputy Senate President and Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has identified the Export Processing Zone, EPZ at Ogidigben, and the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, both in Warri South-West local government area as critical to the development of the Niger Delta.
Speaking during his ward to ward campaign at Council area, Senator Omo-Agege noted in dismay that the EPZ which was started by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been abandoned because the PDP administration led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa failed to prioritize the project.
“You remember that when the project started under the administration of former President Jonathan, former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was very much interested in the EPZ. But since he left office, the Okowa’s administration abandoned the project. When I become governor, I will consult Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President. We’ll liaise with oil companies in order to make the EPZ a reality.”
Senator Omo-Agege stated that Governor Okowa failed to see the inherent benefits and sea of opportunities the EPZ would have generated if it had been functional, and blamed the hardships the people of Warri South West are currently experiencing on Okowa’s insensitivity.
He stated that the local government had contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria, adding, that it would only be fair to recognize this effort by the location of tangible industries that that would impact on the life in particular and the Niger Delta region as a whole.
He promised to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that the oil companies operating in the state, relocate their headquarters to the oil producing areas.
He assured the people that the sea ports which were once the live wire of the local economy would function again, adding that his party presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu had promised to work with him in this regard.
“Tinubu has assured me that once he becomes President, the Nigeria’s Port Authority ( NPA ) will work again. Our ports in Koko, Warri and Burutu will work again. There will be plenty of jobs for our children,” he said.
“I want to assure you all that the APC “five over five” team of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State Assembly members that would be sworn in next year by God’s grace, will address your concerns,” he assured the people.
Earlier, the APC Delta South Senatorial Candidate, Mr.Joel Onowakpo, noted that the change Deltans craved for would not have come at a better time than now and urged the people not to allow the opposition PDP to continue their deception because they have nothing to offer.
“We have had enough of PDP deception in Delta state. They have ruled us for almost 24 years and we have seen little or nothing of their impact in terms of development. It’s time we give this new set of APC candidates a chance to prove their worth come next year, he declared.
Also , the former Executive Director of NDDC and the Chief host of the Ugborodo Campaign rally, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, noted that since change remains the only constant thing in life, the people should be ready to embrace change from PDP to APC, adding for them to embrace this reality, they must remain focus.
