Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday (July 12, 2019) commissioned series of road projects that were executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in the creeks of Delta State.

The roads commissioned include 20.29km Obotobo 1 – Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu local government area and the Main Axial Road at Okerenkoko in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

It would be recalled that Governor Okowa’s administration had also, undertaken the paving of five Burutu Township roads, construction of Rigid Concrete Pavement Road at Obitobon – Elolo – Ajaokurogbo – Orubu, Ogidigben, construction of Access Road to Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko (Kurutie Campus), construction of Oporoza Palace Road in Gbaramatu Kingdom, all in Warri South West Local Government Area, as well as the Construction of Ogulagha/Youbebe/Biniebiama Road, in Burutu Local Government Area. As at May 2019, the administration had embarked on the construction of over 450 road projects, stretching over 1,200 Kilometres in its drive for infrastructural and urban renewal.

“It is an honour to be here to visit you, the King of Gbaramatu Kingdom and commission road projects that were executed by Governor Okowa; I am very pleased that we are able to see this type of development in this axis and I commend Governor Okowa for his efforts,” the Vice President said.

“There is a lot of oil and gas in this area and the national assets have been protected; I thank you, Your Majesty for all that you have done to be able to achieve peace and prosperity in this kingdom,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

The Vice President, who was happy with the development strides of Governor Okowa in the creeks and other parts of Delta State, expressed sadness that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta have not met with the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the riverine communities despite the huge funds allocated for the development of the area.

“The NDDC in many respect has not met the expectations of the oil producing states; a lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta because, the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities,” he stated.

While assuring that the Federal Government will do more to develop the Niger Delta in the next four years, the Vice President asserted: “We will sit with the Delta State Governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks.”

Governor Okowa in his speech, disclosed that the Vice President was invited to commission the projects because, he visited the creeks in the pursuit of peace and the enabling environment for oil and gas production.

At Ogulagha, Governor Okowa stated: “It is not just the length of the road that makes this project unique; it is that the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that this difficult terrain presents; we did not know we could get this length of road in the creak until the King drew our attention to it.”

“I am happy about the progress we have made so far; this has greatly helped to ensure peace in the State, which makes for uninterrupted oil production and the health of the national economy; we are continuing to use various structures and initiatives to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last three years is sustained.”

The Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRH, Joseph Timiyan I in an address, said: “The Ogulagha Kingdom has several onshore and offshore oil and gas wells producing over 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but, in spite of this great contributions to the economy of our country, we have never enjoyed the presence of both the federal and state governments through infrastructural development, appointments and training programs until 2015 when the current God-sent Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa came to our rescue with development and appointments of Special Assistants.”

While in Delta State, the Vice President also commissioned the newly constructed affordable 650 housing units at Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North local government area of the state

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right); Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); Deputy Governor of delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro (left) and His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt. Joseph Tamaya Torububou I, the Oberanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu, during the Rehabilitation and Overlay of Obutobo I/Obotobo II Sokebolou-Yokri Road in Burutu.

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