Immediate past leader of Ughelli South Local Government Council Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Sunday Apah has called on Federal Lawmakers representing Ughievwen in the National Assembly to remember their promise of influencing the completion of the Okwagbe Seaport Project.
Chief Apah in a statement, said during the campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections, most of the party candidates who came to Ughievwen Kingdom and Okwagbe community in particular, promised to ensure that the Okwagbe Seaport project was operational.
He noted that with almost two years running after the elections, nothing has been heard of the Okwagbe seaport project, which according to him if completed and operational, will attract development and create job opportunities for the unemployed youths and also generate economic activities that will transform Okwagbe community, Ughievwen Kingdom and Urhobo at large.
He explained that Okwagbe harbours one of the most popular and busiest markets in the area, and because of its strategic location along the Forcados river, gives the town a special commercial status serving the business needs of traders in the hinterland and offshore dwellers.
He stressed that the river connects Warri and runs into the River Niger through Patani and other popular towns in Delta State. “Okwagbe is a transit point between Oginibo, Agbowhiame, Ekakpamre, Okpare, Otughievwen as well as many other Urhobo villages and Ijaws of the offshore dwellers like Ezebri, Ogodobri etc”, he said.
Apah pointed out that the press statement was to remind them of their promise then that if voted for, they will see with relevant government agencies on how the project can take off. He added that they even promised to further engage foreign partners to finance the project.
He expressed displeasure that for close to two years after the elections and subsequent swearing of the promise makers, nothing has been heard of the Okwagbe Seaport project. He urged them to keep to their promises as there may be no room to listen to fake promises comes 2023.
