By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has assured Deltans that his administration will continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors in order to advance the State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Sir Festus Ahon to mark the 32 years anniversary of the creation of Delta State in 1991 by the then Military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
His words, “our beloved State has continued to move on the trajectory of growth in spite of challenges confronting us as a people.
“As an administration, we appreciate all Deltans for their patience, support and peaceful co-existence which has continued to provide an enabling environment for infrastructural and human capital development.
“Our administration is barely 100 days in office and we have just finished constituting the State Executive Council and I can assure Deltans, that we will continue to build on the gains recorded by our predecessors.
“All we ask from the people is peaceful co-existence, as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of strife and unrest. I therefore assure you that better days are here for all Deltans as we work towards advancing a better Delta of our dream.
“Through our M.O.R.E Agenda, we will ensure meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms and enhanced peace and security for all Deltans and residents of our dear State.
“With the successful inauguration of Commissioners”, the statement went on, “my administration is set to inaugurate the State Executive Council, thus paving way for serious business of governance to uplift the lives of the people.
“We have your clear mandate to deliver on our M.O.R.E Agenda and I assure you that with your support and cooperation as always, we will surely do more.
“We inherited over 400 ongoing road projects and bridges from the previous administration and will continue to execute more projects for the overall growth and development of our dear State.
“As we are attending to our urban centres, our rural and riverine communities will also receive adequate attention to ensure we reverse the rural-urban migration syndrome.
“As Deltans, we have every reason to celebrate our 32 years anniversary as a State, as we remain on the right trajectory to development.
“Let me assure you all that we will continue to operate within the principles of equity, fair play and friendship, which have largely created the atmosphere for peace and development in the State”, the statement added.
….Gbagi faults developments as claimed
However the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the March 18th election, and a former Minister of Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi disagreed that meaningful development has taken place.
Rather, he said that “Delta at 32 years of existence has gone backwards, there was nothing to celebrate”.
Gbagi, who spoke on Sunday through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, expressed shock that with the enormous resources at the disposal of the State, there was nothing to show for it.
The statement reads: “Deltans, it is with mixed feelings that I bring greetings of love, having by influx of time attained 32 years since creation.
“It is no joke that we all had a child that is 32 years old but unfortunately that while Deltans as a people have nothing to celebrate, the structure of Delta State has remain largely the same as left for us by our Colonial Masters.
“While tons of money had come, passing the name Delta State, it does not reflect on the ground giving all we have received as a people.
“It is unfortunate that what is before us today, make a laughable stock in the comity of states in Nigeria, and elsewhere in the globe.
“Nothing will happen unless we collectively as a people decide even though it is late, but decide to take our common patrimony, our destiny as a people, giving the fact that there is no any other state for us Deltans can claim to be ours except this one which is Delta State.
“It is not one that we want to play cosmetic lip service to. The speed in which we are running into self extinction calls for serious concern.
“I have laid myself, my life and giving the fact that God has been extremely kind to me to liberate us as a people. Search yourself, search your environment, Delta was one of the first four provinces in Nigeria, with all the endowment, Delta is the biggest slum in Nigeria.
“While I mourn this day as Delta attain 32 years of nothing to show for it, it is about time fellow Deltans should join hands with me in my quest to liberate this State from deceit, from theft, from lack of development, unproductiveness.
“I hold myself and God gave us all as a people to be one of the richest states in Nigeria, one of the richest states in the world but we have to be decisive.
“The Bible says take hold of that which is yours or else the devourer will take it.
“It is on this understanding that I participated in the election, that it was clear that nobody else was qualified among those who participated except myself in the quest to liberate us which I know that God has sanctioned.
“Join me to ensure that we turn our fortunes collectively around for the good, greatness and massive speedy development which we all urgently require”, the statement added.