Delta State governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured Deltans of his administration’s intention to complete all on going projects before leaving office
Governor Okowa made this assurance recently while commissioning the Otughievwen/Okwagbe road and Effurun-Otor bridge in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.
Governor Okowa also expressed his gratitude to the people of the area saying “Ughelli South local government is topmost in the scheme of things in this administration because they supported us in 2015 and again in 2019 they delivered me and the PDP despite tense and fierce opposition.
“We have two years left to go in this administration and I have every intention of completing whatever projects we have started, but if we cannot finish I assure you that the next governor will take over but let me assure that we will not make any promise that we cannot fulfil”.
At Effurun-Otor, Okowa said, “I am happy that what we started few years ago, has brought joy to our people and I am particularly happy.The Effurun-Otor-Ovwor bridge was one of the major requests of the people when i visited the communities in 2015.
“The vision of this administration is to connect Delta communities with roads, bridges and other basic amenities, and so far we have awarded contracts for no fewer than 500 road projects, with many already completed.
“The contractor of the Effurun-Otor bridge project, Obakpor Engineering Limited has done a magnificent job. I want to commit myself again and by the grace of God in 2022, we will complete the Ovwor general hospital.”
On his part, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said, “Governor Okowa understands the importance of infrastructures. He is not only building physical bridges but also building social, economic and community bridges.
“I am leaving Ughelli South Local Government Area with the proof that the 13 percent derivation is in existence here and with the quality of projects being executed by my friend and brother across Delta State, it is obvious that he would do more with enhanced funds.
“Governor Okowa is a brilliant leader who understands the importance of roads and bridges in the lives of the people and communities, and that is why he has continued to prioritise the construction of roads in Delta.
“I must commend the governor for connecting the Urhobos and Ijaws with the Okwagbe road and with the quality of work on ground today he has moved up from “road master” to “bridge master”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Dr. Richard Kofi commended governor Okowa for alleviating the sufferings of Ughelli South people.
He said, “The bad state of the road and bridge has hindered economic growth in the area but by this commissioning today I know commercial activities will be boosted.”
In his address, the Delta state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye said, “The Otughievwen/Okwagbe road project was awarded in March 2017 and completed in 2019.
“While the Effurun-Otor bridge was initially awarded in 1979 during the 1.5 concession era, in 1991, OMPADEC rewarded it and the contractor did a zero head bridge.
“On March 6, 2017 the contract was re-awarded by the Okowa led administration, the bridge is 100 meter span and a 1km road.
Also speaking, Orovworere of Effurun-Otor Kingdom, HRM Johnson Duke, King Duke II, described Okowa as a listening governor who acts on the genuine demands of the people.
He said with the construction of the bridge, the communities now have direct, seamless and stressless journey to and from their various destinations.
Representative of Okwagbe communities expressed delight on the inauguration of the road, adding that the community suffered untold neglect and hardship since 1980 when the administration of Professor Ambrose Ali started the project but was abandoned by subsequent administrations.
