BY SUNDAY EGEDE
DELTA State University of Science and Technology (DSUST), Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state which was first established as a College of Agriculture was converted to a polytechnic on January 1, 2002, by law during the administration of Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Nineteen years later, the institution metamorphosed into a full-fledged university.
This was when the then governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in January 2021, announced plans to convert Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro and two other schools into a full-fledged university through executive bills which passed first reading during plenary at the Delta State House of Assembly on January 28, 2021. In February 2021; the bills were passed into law after going through the House Committee on Education.
It would be recalled that while signing the bill into law which was passed by the State House Assembly, Governor Okowa said “as the students of our technical education start to progress from the technical colleges to the polytechnics, they also, have a chance of going further to the University of Science and Technology.”
Expectedly, the university has been growing in leaps and bounds since its establishment more than three years ago. Only recently, Delta State Government under the resourceful and dynamic leadership of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori approved the establishment of a College of Health Sciences for the university.
To ensure that the College of Health Sciences located at Ovrode has a seamless take off, the state government has released over N1 billion to the contractor handling the project. Governor Oborevwori disclosed this on Tuesday while inaugurating the 4.04km Emevor-Orogun Road Phase 1 with 5.555km accompanying side drains at Emevor Community in Isoko North Local Government Area.
According to the governor, the College of Health Sciences is a big project being funded by the state government, assuring that the project, by the special grace of God, would be completed by October, this year, emphasizing that his administration was fully committed to the overall growth and development of the state through the faithful implementation of the MORE agenda for Deltans.
“We have released over N1 billion to the contractor handling the College of Health Sciences project at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro. It is a big project and I can assure you that it will be completed by October this year,” Gov. Oborevwori said.
Inaugurating the road project, the governor, who paid tribute to his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, under whose administration, the contract for the first phase of the project was awarded, appreciated the people of Emevor and Isoko nation in general for standing by his administration, assuring that they would not be disappointed.
Apparently impressed with the high quality of work done on the road project by the contracting firm, Emorock Construction Concepts, the governor lauded company for a job well done, even as he announced approval for the second phase of the project to the admiration of the people.
“I must acknowledge and appreciate my predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, under whose stewardship the contract for the first phase of this road was awarded and construction commenced. I am proud to say that this road was constructed by an indigenous contractor who has delivered on the job”.
“In line with my promise not to abandon on-going projects inherited from the previous administration, I came to inspect this project on 8th of March and 8th of April to ensure that this phase of the road is put to use before the rains”.
“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to have completed this road, knowing how strategic and important it is to the people of Emevor and the surrounding communities. This is a testament that our MORE agenda is on course. It is another promise made, and promise kept”.
“With the completion of the first phase being 4.04 Kilometres, accessing our farms, markets and neigbhouring villages will no more be a nightmare. I believe that the local economy and living standards of our people within this axis will henceforth improve”.
“I have heard your request for the construction of the second phase. Be rest assured, with God helping us, we will construct the full length of the road which terminates at Orogun,” Oborevwori said, adding that when the full length of the road is completed, it would reduce travel time significantly around the corridor.
In their remarks, the member representing Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko and member representing Isoko North constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bernard Odior, appreciated the governor for all he was doing in Isoko nation, particularly on the establishment of College of Health Technology, Ovrode.
The lawmakers said that the Emevor-Orogun Road had been a great challenge to all Isoko people, assuring that the Isoko Nation would remain loyal and committed to his administration.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Work (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, commended the contractor for the timely and quality delivery of the project. He said that completing the entire stretch of the road to Orogun would complete the joy of the people.
Welcoming guests earlier, the President- General of Emevor Progress Union, Comrade Teddy Edoso, and Chairman, Delta State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Paul Oweh, had thanked Governor Oborevwori for completing the first phase of the road and appealed for the award of contract for the phase 2 leading to the villages of Emevor and Orogun town in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
They also commended Governor Oborevwori for the appointment of indigenes of the community as well as prioritising and expediting action on the road and pledged the total commitment of the Emevor people to the political aspirations of the governor.
