- Deltans React As Rampaging CSOs barricaded East West Road
Despite the humongous amount of money pilled up as debt, attempts by the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to perfect the process of securing ₦20billion loan facility from Fidelity Bank has triggered mass protest.
The Governor, in a letter to the State House of Assembly, addressed to the Honourable Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori said the facility would enable the state government fund additional stake of 3% in the UTM offshore FLNG’s projects.
The letter reads in part:”In view of the bank’s commitment to partner with the state government on this investment, with an offer of ₦20,000,000,000.00(twenty billion) loan facility, the Delta State Executive Council at it’s first meeting held Monday, 16 January, 2023, considered and approved for the state government to accept the offer by Fidelity Bank PLC with the terms and conditions to enable the state government fund the additional stake of 3% in the federal government LNG projects.”
But in a swift reaction, a coalition of members of the civil society (CSOs) in Delta State Wednesday issued stern warning to banks against granting such loan to the Governor at the twilight of his administration.
The rampaging Deltans who barricaded the East West road, causing traffic gridlock along the axis, accused Governor Okowa of mortgaging the future of Deltans yet unborn.
The protesters who carried different placards with the inscriptions:” We say No to ₦20billion Loan.” Don’t mortgage Delta State,” warned that any financial institution that engaged in such unprofitable transaction with this current government, did so at it’s own peril.
The Urohobo Progress Union (UPU) youth wing President, Kelly Umukoro queries if the loan was to sponsor Okowa’s ambition to be Vice President.
“As critical stakeholders, we are saying no! Never, our children cannot pay debt not used by their fathers. In Delta State University, Abraka, school fees was recently hiked just like private Universities where students pay ₦250,000. We are saying that Banks should not grant further loan to Okowa because he has not been able to account for the previous loan facilities,” he said.
The state CDHR President, Kehinde Taiga noted in dismay that despite the huge federal government allocation to the state and the internally generated revenue, Delta State is still under developed.
In network pool monitored by the New Diplomat, Deltans frowned at the ugly development.
Excerpts:
Shaguola Broderick Ovus
May Okowa never happened to Delta State again.
Rume Amos:
Okowa is a crook
Ejirohene Akpodonor:
This is not a laughing matter. This is very serious and Deltans must stand up to this man, and put an end to the unending reckless borrowing.
Kosh Youngbash:
Our principal should reinstate his stands that any loan approved this year would not be honoured by his government upon assumption of office, and those banks who ignored the warnings does so at their own risk. This is pure wickedness. How can a State owing pensioners still wants to borrow and invest?
