By Austin Ogwuda
FORMER President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has doffed his hat for the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for his prudence in returning unutilised funds of over N500 million to the State treasury when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly, describing him as a man of integrity.
Jonathan showered him encomiums during the inauguration of Delta State High Court Complex in Asaba and the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to Judges in the State, on Tuesday, in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria .
While commending the governor for his primary focus on the infrastructural development of Delta State and his commitment to continuing with projects inherited from previous administrations in the State praised him openly for his prudence in returning unutilised funds of over N500 million to the State treasury when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
His words, “There are some projects that are very fundamental to the growth and development of the State and we expect anybody who takes over government to continue with them and you are doing exactly that.
“I believe that if you go across the country today, this is one of the best Judiciary headquarters in the country and I congratulate the Governor and the Judiciary of Delta State for this exemplary project.
“It is not easy for a public officer or even a civil servant to refund money to the government in most cases; it is extremely difficult, but as a Speaker, you were able to do that and that shows that you are somebody of high level of integrity and you can be trusted.
“Please, continue to manage the resources of the State in that manner and use the money in a way that it will affect the people positively.
“I urge the people of Delta State to keep supporting the Governor for the overall development of the State.
There are some people who believe that they must bring a government down for the purpose of politics, but when you are struggling to bring a Governor or President down for the purpose of politics, you are bringing the State or country down.
“This is because the Governor or the President is sitting with public resources and everybody must encourage him to succeed and that’s the only way we, as a nation can grow”.
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori said the completion of the High Court building was in line with his commitment to the completion of projects inherited from previous administrations, noting that he was motivated to complete the project because the Judiciary was the only arm of government without a befitting building for their operations.
He said the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to judges in the state was a fulfilment of “a promise made and a promise kept”.
Said he, “On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I thank you for your friendship, partnership, and sustained interest in the progress of our dear state and Nigeria in general.
“Of the three arms of government, only the judiciary was lacking a befitting office building. This motivated me to hasten the completion of this project. I am glad that today the narrative has changed for good. The implication, going forward, is that the cause of justice will now be better served for the greater good of all.
“As a government, we have taken steps to further ensure that our judges and associated staff not only operate in a conducive and enabling environment, but are also provided with the necessary tools that complement the functionality and prestige of their offices”.
The new High Court Complex has internet access and other critical Information Technology (IT) facilities in the building to enhance e-filing of court processes and e-payments for services rendered by the High Court of Justice.
Photo caption:
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan (left), and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori acknowledging cheers from the crowd as they arrived the newly built State High Court Complex for inauguration as part of activities marking the Governor’s one year anniversary in Asaba on Tuesday.
Pix : Enarusai Bripin
