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.
Source News Express
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