By Austin Ogwuda
FOR quite sometime, there had been throwing of brickbats at each other, accusations and counter accusations of whose responsibility it is, to fixed bad roads in Delta State, whether they are State or Federal roads.
While the opposition especially the All Progressives Party, APC laid the blame squarely at the door step of the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP for alleged non performance, the PDP too, fired back, taking the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege to the cleaners for allegedly not using his good offices while in power to help out.
The last drama came from two personalities, Fred Edoreh and Basil Okoh.
Although the later, Basil Okoh claimed non partisanship in the matter, he lambasted Fred Edoreh that in spite of his vast knowledge and education, he could not decifer between Executive and Legislative duties and and by implications, the role of a Federal lawmaker and limitations, thus coming to the defence of Ovie Omo-Agege who was dazed after he was lampooned by Fred Edoreh earlier.
Respite however came on Monday when the Federal Government waded in.Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, arrived Delta, Monday, to carry out investigation on the condition of Federal roads transversing Delta State.
While inspecting those deplorable roads, Umahi told the Delta State deputy governor, Sir Monday Onyeme who accompained him, “your excellency, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, thank you very much for coming on behalf of your governor. It shows the partnership and commitment you have for your people”.
Continuing, the Works Minister said, “Mr President asked me to come and inspect the roads and see the immediate relief we can give the people while major construction will start soon”.
He decried the state of East/West road, especially at the boundary between Delta and Edo States, noting that “for more than 10 kilometers, vehicles are lined up, no movement, so, economic activities are totally grounded between Delta and Edo States; this is not acceptable”.
Some of the roads inspected were, Sapele/Agbor road and NPA road and border between Edo and Delta among others.
Earlier, Deputy Governor Onyeme who represented the Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori told the Minister that “accomplishing the task of reconstructing the roads, means a lot to us as Deltans and as Nigerians in general.
“Your inspection of the roads by personally driving through them is the only way that I am sure you and the federal government will appreciate their importance.
“When I was informed that you are coming from Edo State to Delta State with a view of coming to inspect the federal roads, I was happy; happy in the sense that you have been tested, we have seen your handwork when you were the Governor of Ebonyi State in the area of road construction and we are happy that you are here.
“So, we have no fear, and have no doubt that you will ensure the construction of these roads to the satisfaction of Nigerians and to us here in Delta State, we were very happy that you were appointed as the Minister of works.
“We want to assure you that, Delta State will give you all the cooperation and support that you need to accomplish this task.
“Be rest assured that, you will get 100 percent cooperation from Delta State government and from Deltans”, said Onyeme.
