By Austin Ogwuda
THE celebration of the creation of Delta State anniversary which in years past was celebrated with pomp and pageantry has taken a new dimension.
Usually in the past, the anniversary was preceded with one week long event with a media parley preceding and rounded up with a state banquet.
Surprisingly, the incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori after a Thanksgiving Church service held at the Government House Chapel Asaba, dashed out.
To where? To inspect some ongoing projects.
When asked why the project inspection instead of cutting the anniversary cake, eating, drinking and dancing, he said, “We thank God for the anniversary of Delta state today (Tuesday). After our thanksgiving, we felt it was necessary for us to come and inspect some of the works we are doing.
“We are just coming from Isheagu/Ewulu Road that’s a 9.1km road. They have done the binding and the wearing course, we are satisfied with the asphalt work.
“But we are having a little issue with the drains which we have asked them make some corrections before we can commission the project. Without that I will not commissioning the project.
“We are here now to inspect this Sector C1. This is one of the most critical part of the dualisation of Ughelli/Asaba road. This is not the first time I am coming here. I have been here three times and you can see now that they are having challenges with the rains.
“You heard the supervisor who explained that the rains are disturbing them. But the good thing is that they have assured us that by December, they will be able to finish the bridge.
“Once they are able to do that, the other work will no longer be too difficult. They don’t have any reason not to work because they are on ISPO, so they don’t lack money.
“We first gave thanks to God and thereafter decided to go to work because today is a working day. We cannot just do thanksgiving and go home to celebrate.
“Some people are doing only celebration today but I and my team decided to use today also to inspect important infrastructure as part of activities to mark the state creation anniversary”, the governor stated.
Earlier, during the church service, Oborevwori said “I am proud to say that in 33 years of existence, Delta State has evolved into a strong, vibrant, strategic component of the Nigerian federation.
“Judging by all the indices of development, the state occupies a pride of place in the Nigerian federation. Both locally and internationally, our people are renowned for their entrepreneurial drive, passion and ingenuity.
“Let us continue to unite in prayer seeking God’s blessings and protection for our state and may His divine presence be felt in all we do and may we all remember that our trust is in Him alone. Only God can protect, guide and lead us to succeed as a state.
“As we use this opportunity of this anniversary to take stock, I want to assure all Deltans and residents in the state that it can only get better from here”, he assured.