By Austin Ogwuda
Sometime ago, I wrote a piece – ‘Governor Oborevwori has no reason to fail Deltans’.
Sincerely speaking, one does not need a soothsayer or prophecy to tell that the lines are actually in place; the parameters to determine success are all pointing to one direction – success – for the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
Then came an unprecedented, uncommon COMMENDATION from no less personality than our great Statesman, fearless, audacious social critic, respected Chief Edwin Clark to the governor conveyed in an Open Letter.
Quite unusual, you may say because Pa Clark is not known as a praise singer or that diplomatic in stating the obvious in any given issue.
He speaks truth to power always whether the Military or civilian; high and the mighty, be you his kinsman or not, he is ever blunt to a fault.
Remember how he took Rotimi Amaechi to the cleaners recently for not living up to expectation as a Minister abandoning the East West Road under his purview.
He doesn’t give a hoot whose ox is gored. But the old man took time out and pencilled down the ‘Open Letter’ to the Governor dated 25th September 2023.
It reads:
Your Excellency, my son,
RE: GIVING WARRI A FACELIFT PROMISE FULFILLED
I write to express on behalf of the people of Warri and elders of Warri referred to as ‘WARRI BOYS’ our gratitude and appreciation for the great plan you have for the rehabilitation and urban renewal of our hometown, Warri/Effurun. Particularly, the recent award of some major contracts to a reputable company such as Julius Berger in the sum of N78 billion is a show of your sincerity of purpose. Indeed, I understand that part payment has been made to the contractors.
2. I recall in your inaugural speech on 29th May, 2023, you promised that you will give Warri a facelift.
The media reported thus; “The newly sworn in Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has vowed to give special attention to the oil-rich city of Warri, the commercial hub to advance the economy of the State”. And you were quoted directly as saying;“Warri the commercial nerve centre of the State will be given special attention under this administration. The process has already commenced with the establishment of the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA)”.
3. My first open letter I addressed to Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa on 2nd February 2023, I criticised him for abandoning Warri and thereby reducing it into a village; an extract of my first letter is reproduced hereunder:“it maybe too late, but finally, I wish to again advice you not to reduce Warri to a deserted village as Chief James Onanefe Ibori did to Sapele, as he removed most of the offices from Sapele to Oghara his hometown. This is exactly what you are carrying out now”.
4. Also, I addressed an open letter to your predecessor on the eve of his re-election into office, when I strongly advised him that he should not abandon Warri as his predecessor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan did for eight (8) years in office.
5. The recent contract which you have awarded include the:i) Design and construction of a flyover bridge at the Enerhen Junction to Marine Gate;ii) Study design, construction of road expansion and improvement work on the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to the Delta Steel Complex(DSC) Round-about; and iii) Construction of a ¾ Clover Interchange at the existing Effurun flyover bridge and two pedestrian bridges.Others are the:i) Design and construction of a flyover bridge at the ever busy Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction; andii) DSC Round-about along Effurun/Patani, East-West Highway and Effurun in Uvwie LGA.
6. I am confident that the above contracts when completed, will no doubt, bring great joy and satisfaction to the indigenes and inhabitants of the Old Delta Province and will definitely bring back the old glory of Warri which as you know is comprised of various heavily oil producing communities.
7. On the long run, this will be to the benefit of the entire Delta, as this boost further economic and social growth of our main economic town.
8. It is obvious that you have started your tenure very well and I am confident you will extend this pattern to other major towns in the State. Already, I understand that you have awarded similar contracts for work in some of the Federal highways connecting some of the major towns. I do hope that these would all be carried out by reputable contractors so that the fate which befell your predecessors of a string of uncompleted jobs will not repeat itself. Be confident that you have my full support and encouragement. I want you to be at liberty to always reach me whenever my attention is needed for counsel and needed support.
9. Finally, my dear son, you have started well, in the fulfillment of your promise to the people of Delta State and I urge you to carry on with your good works.
My fatherly prayers and good wishes are with you always.
CHIEF (DR.) E.K. CLARK OFR, CON
Recall in that my earlier piece ‘Governor Oborevwori has no reason to fail Deltans’ on the 16th of last month, September, 2023, I described the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Elder, Rt. Hon.Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori as a man of destiny.
Providence is really kind to him because it is evident that though there are mountains to climb but thanks that the necessary ropes and other accessories to aid the climbing are at his disposal.
First of all, among the ranking States in the sharing of the largesse known as oil revenue from the Federation Account Delta State is there.
Delta State climbed the ladder to the first position recently by receiving the highest Allocation of N1.51 trillion from Federation Account between JANUARY – JUNE, 2023.
The Report by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) showed the States received about N817.79 billion from the N2.32 trillion total distributable allocation in the first quarter and N688.2billion of the N2.04trillion allocation in the second quarter.
Apart from the share of the statutory allocations, the report said the nine oil-producing states, namely Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers received additional allocations as their share of the 13 percent derivation revenue to bring their total receipts to about N869.09 billion.
On a state-by-state basis, the report showed that Delta State received the largest allocation of N102.79 billion among the 36 states in the second quarter, followed by Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, which received N70.01 billion and N69.73 billion respectively.
As I wrote then, apart from drawing greater percent of the Allocation, it is not also a secret that Delta State is doing well in the area of generation of Internally Generated Revenue IGR.
Therefore, the era of saying ‘ego adi-ro’ meaning there is no money is gone.There is money, he has a friendly State Assembly, relative peace in the State.
And now, the icing of the cake: is Pa Clark’s commendation, not easy to come by.What a great booster indeed.The simple lesson or what this portends is for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to girdle his belt to do the MORE he promised and shun sycophants around him perching to tell him only what he wants to hear and may tomorrow take up arms to attack the likes of EK Clark when they offer criticisms if need be, for the purpose of drawing attention to human errors or blatant abuse of power or retrogression.
Who told you that constructive criticisms whether from opposition parties, the Fourth Estate of the Realm (Media) or in-house ( subtle though) should be jettisoned?
Certainly, No, provided they are offered genuinely and in good faith.The Town Hall Media has the eye on the ball as Sheriff Oborevwori steers the wheel.
Finally, Mr. Governor, remember to whom much is given much is expected .
Goodluck as you are already eyeing a second term in office.
