- Says emulate River’s Wike on infrastructural development
WARRI- National President of Ijaw youths council (IYC) world-wide, Barr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi has called on Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa to emulate his Rivers state counter, Chief (Barr.) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in the area of location of meaningful development and people-oriented projects in Ijaw-speaking areas of Delta State.
Barr. Oweilaemi made this clarion call to Okowa to change strategy in a press statement today which copy was made available to Daily Watch in Warri, said ‘‘ It will be recalled without any fear of contradiction that the Ijaw-speaking areas in Delta State gave Dr. Okowa part of the highest votes that brought him to power in 2015. It is also an incontrovertible fact that the bulk of the Federal Allocation that is accruing to the State is derived from the Ijaw region. Yet, after three years into this administration, not even a single project is known to be ongoing in the area not to talk of being completed and commissioned.
‘‘But if Gov. Okowa thinks, says or disputes otherwise, we in the IYC challenge him to a Town Hall meeting to tell us which project or projects of value are have been sited, completed and commissioned within these 3years in this area that gave him and his administration the golden egg.
‘‘We strongly frown against our total neglect and abandonment and also advice for the immediate reversal of this ugly and very condemnable trend before 2019 otherwise, Ijaw youths will campaign vigorously and massively against any Governor who has previously insulted our collective sensibilities.
‘‘I try to make comparison between Gov. Okowa and his colleague and Rivers counterpart, Chief (Barr.) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike because of the outstanding developmental strides of the latter.
‘‘The Eastern Zonal Executive Committee of the IYC led by Comrade Samuel George and the National Executive led by my humble self are overwhelmingly satisfied with Governor Wike for bringing development and other dividends of democracy to the Ijaw region. It is the satisfaction I have that has prompted me to issue this Joint Press Statement with the the Zonal Chairman, Comrade George.’’ He said.
He however, commended Governor Wike for the excellent job he is doing for the Ijaw people in Rivers state. ‘‘I promise Ijaw youths in Rivers State will stand by him come rain, come shine. I pray that the good Lord stands by him.
‘‘I have seen the ongoing finishing touches on the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road project, the Trans-Kalabari Unity Road, Okochiri Internal Roads, the ongoing Reconstruction of Harold Wilson Road to New Road Port Harcourt Township, the Reconstruction of Creek Road now named after our great mother Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan, the Recognition and Elevation of some Traditional Stools in Ijaw Communities among others.
‘‘Most of these projects, especially the road projects will open up hitherto water-cooled Communities and link them to the rest of the State thereby fast-tracking development in the region.The above is exactly what happened when former Governor James Ibori of Delta State built a multi-billion Naira bridge across Bomadi. Since then, development in that area has witnessed geometric progression.
‘‘Governors in the Niger Delta region, especially Governor Okowa should take a cue from the above and do the needful. I urge Ijaw youths in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general to give unflinching support to this exemplary Governor, Nyesom Wike. ‘’ IYC national Presixent assured Wike of total support.
