All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Olorogun Otega Emerhor in Delta State, has decried the sorry state of infrastructural decay, acute poverty, ever increasing debt profile, high rate of unemployment and gross underdevelopment in Delta State, particularly in the “past 16 years of reckless looting of financial resources by the successive administrations of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Emerhor, in a statement made available to journalists, said it is painful that the PDP wasted precious 16 years which is more than enough to build standard socio-economic structures and financial empire for the overall development of the state, and for the enjoyment of Deltans throughout the three senatorial districts.

He further asserted that PDP dashed the hope and aspirations of Deltans so much so that the populace now wallows in abject poverty and sorrowful state of standard of living. In the statement, the APC chieftain urged the people to partner with the APC to end the 16 years of PDP misrule so as to open a new vista opportunity for good governance and overall development of the state.

Emerhor said at 24, Delta State has little or nothing to celebrate, pointing out that the oil rich state which rakes billions of naira on a monthly basis ought to be a pacesetter in the area of industrialization, job creation, quality healthcare, good roads, free and standard education at all levels, social welfare and other social services anchored on sound government policies.

Emehor urged Deltans to continue to support President Mohammadu Buhari's administration and the Delta APC so as to rescue the state from the firm grip of economic strangulation perpetuated by the PDP.

He said the APC is hopeful that there will be a re-run after the legal tussle with the PDP at the election tribunal, hoping that APC’s victory at the polls will enable the good people of Delta State to recover their stolen mandate.

An inter-denomination thanksgiving service was held Thursday to mark the 24th anniversary of the creation of the state, with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa calling on the people to be more united and committed to the development of the state.

The inter-denominational service took place at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Asaba and was attended by former Military Administrator of the state, Navy Commander Walter Feghabor, former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief B. S. C. Elue, top government functionaries, political leaders, and captains of industry.

In his remarks at the church service, Governor Okowa observed that the people deserves to celebrate 24 years of oneness, peaceful co-existence and progress, observing that there was the need for the people to engage more on actions that will strengthen the unity of the people of the state.

“This is the time to build peace in our state, it is time for us to be more united for the common good of all Deltans,” the Governor said, assuring that his government was open to constructive criticism, suggestions on the way forward in the interest of the state.

He emphasised that the fear of God by the people would bring about speedy development and unity asserting, “wherever you find yourself, fear God, keep his commandments and you will excel, if l and all office holders fear God, nobody need to tell you to be dedicated, you don’t need to be fraudulent, you don’t need to condone ghost workers.”

“Times are hard but if we fear God, we will be able to manage our lean resources for the development of our states and of our people,” he reiterated.

The Governor disclosed that the dwindling revenue from oil resources have thrown up a new challenge for government in the country on the need to diversify the economy.

According to him, “The Lord is teaching us a lesson that we cannot depend on oil alone for revenue, we are developing other resources of the state, we have inaugurated the youth empowerment programme at Songhai-Delta, Amukpe and I want to assure you that the Songhai-Delta cannot be idle through-out my tenure and the graduates from the empowerment programmes will become entrepreneurs and employers of labour because the youths need to be re-directed to become employers of labour.”

While stating that it was important for Deltans to celebrate their oneness as a people, the governor called on the people not to relent in partnering with his administration in delivering the needed democratic dividends, reiterating, “l have always asked God to help me take decisions for the greater good of the state, because every decision you take some people will be happy others will be sad but l believe that our decisions will always serve the general interest of the people.”

Earlier in a sermon at the service which was presided by Bishop Justus Mogekwu of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Delta State said that the fear of God should be the bedrock of everybody in position of leadership so that the prosperity for all Deltans initiative can be achieved.

He stated: “The fear of God will make us always remember the consequences of God’s judgement, in all our dealings we will be more dedicated and honest with our fellow men and the state and of course, the revenue and resources of the state will improve and attract quality execution and costing of projects.”

•Photo shows Emerhor.

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