IN Environment Developmental Studies, cities are known to be born, they then can grow either orderly or disorderly in what we usually call development pattern or trajectory and eventually grow old and depending on the level of planning and the consistency of maintenance, cities can degenerate and die. That in a way explains how cities and development centers of yesterday can degenerate into deplorable slumps and environment eyesores necessitating a redevelopment plan .One of the tested and proven ways to regenerate aging or dying cities is through the building of lasting infrastructure .It is in the light of this that I have undertaken to present a close look at the developmental dynamics of Oborevwori’s city building and regeneration agenda through uncommon commitment to city and urban renewal initiatives. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has recorded significant achievements in infrastructure development since his inauguration on May 29, 2023. His administration has focused on completing ongoing projects while embarking on new initiatives, delivering visible progress and improving the lives of residents.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu has been doing quite a splendid job providing public veritable insights into some of the ongoing projects, Aniagwu highlighted three critical bridge projects in Effurun and Warri. These include the Enerhen Junction Bridge, DSC Roundabout Bridge and PTI Junction Bridge. It is equally instructive to note that these projects are being executed by the globally acclaimed construction company, Julius Berger which remains a testament to Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to excellence and long lasting dividends.
Beyond Effurun and Warri, other transformative infrastructure projects making tangible impact include the Beneku Bridge, connecting Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East, which has significantly changed the dynamics of transportation in the area. Before its construction, residents of the area had relied on boats but can now drive across the Beneku Bridge, a feat considered impossible before now. In the same vein the 500-meter Orere Bridge in Ughelli South Local Government Area has become a vital link for communities in the area. The bridge is now operational and has improved accessibility fostering economic growth. These indeed constitute Delta’s bridges of hope and inclusiveness for a greater and more prosperous State. The Governor’s insistence on benchmarked quality delivery principles is also a notable lesson on how to deploy the tax payers’ resources to achieve lasting developmental impact. Last week turned out to be very significant as it brought the long cherished dream of Asaba Waterfront City closer to reality. The Delta state government last Wednesday made a bold statement in Asaba, reaffirming its commitment to constructing a six-lane access road to the proposed Asaba Waterfront City.
Incidentally, what today is a sprawling capital city by the River Niger, began at the current location of the Asaba Waterfront City also referred to as Cable Point. Over the years however Cable Point has degenerated into a vast slump by the Niger necessitating a rebuilding. The Asaba Waterfront City was conceived as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Okowa administration to fully harness the redevelopment advantages of the sprawling city with the advantage of the refreshing lushness of a waterfront view. Much of the land for development is expected to be reclaimed from the shores of the Niger while buildings currently on the right of way will naturally have to give way.
The Governor While inspecting the site made it clear that Asaba has become very attractive to property developers who are coming from Lagos on the understanding that the prevailing peace in the city provides a predictable support system for investment. According to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori “They are coming here because they find Asaba very comfortable and they know that we are also hospitable. Being a PPP arrangement between the government and the developers, our obligation is to reclaim the place to give them an access route, a six-lane access road, to this place.”
Oborevwori hinted that the developers have done about 20 per cent of the job, and went ahead to order the immediate payment of compensation to property owners on the right of way to the six lane access road to the Waterfront City .Oborevwori clarified that money for the compensation had long been released by his administration and wondered why owners of property on the right of way were not paid yet.
POSTSCRIPS. Sen Ned Nwoko And Rumoured Defection. While it is easy to acknowledge the fundamental rights of every Nigerian to freely associate with and indeed be a member of any of the 18 registered political parties, one seriously frowns at and totally condemns situations where serial carpet crossers will go ahead to spread Pernicious propaganda that their actions were necessitated by the existence of factions within the fold of the Party under which the people voted for them to represent them this platform to clarify to the general public that the workings of the internal democratic structures of the party is such that there are no factions within our fold. We have also been guided by the democratic tenets of transparency and accountability. The political career of Senator Ned Nwoko being essentially interest driven instead of people focused has been replete with countless cases of defections, we are not particularly surprised at his latest moves. What we are not comfortable with is why a Senator of the Federal Republic will descend to the desperate level of lies -telling and negative labeling of our party under which he secured the mandate to represent his people at upper chamber of the National Assembly in a bid of justify his clearly Machiavelline and anti people political expedition. Delta PDP has remained internally peaceful and cohesive ensuring that the government of Elder Sheriff Oborevwori continues with the transformative impact of his MORE Agenda across the nooks and crannies of Delta State. There are no crisis within our fold.
