…Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass Inaugurated Amidst Jubilation
AHEAD of the July 13 local government election in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has assured of a level-playing ground for all political parties, declaring that the election would be free, fair and credible.
Delta State under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently demonstrated a commitment to democratic principles by conducting credible local government elections.
Meanwhile, it is no longer news that the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, had fixed Saturday, July 13, 2024, for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
As at the last check, 10 political parties had indicated interest to participate in the elections with the PDP leading the pack in terms of campaigns and reaching out to the people.
To ensure the integrity of the polls, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, last Thursday, warned political parties to avoid being complacent, stressing that the elections would be conducted through a transparent and credible process.
Governor Oborevwori issued the warning during the inauguration of the 5.3km Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, off the Benin-Asaba expressway and the Ughelli-Asaba expressway at Ibusa end in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
In his remarks at the colourful ceremony, attended by the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme and other top government functionaries, traditional rulers and political stakeholders, Governor Oborevwori assured that the July 13 local government council election in the state would be free, fair and credible, while urgingd political parties to ensure they campaigned vigorously to win the people’s support.
He said: “While we continue to enjoy the freedom, privileges and other dividends that democracy offers, I implore you to uphold its tenets as we approach the local government elections.
“Regarding this Local Government election, I am telling all the candidates, not only in PDP but other parties, that it’s going to be free, fair and credible elections. So, if you think you will just have it because it’s a Local Government election, you are making a very big mistake.
“Do your campaigns very well. The elections will be properly monitored because I believe in democracy and the rule of law. Go and talk to the people, show your capacity, tell them that you are capable of this job.
“Don’t think that it is just the normal way. You can see what is happening in Delta Central now where about 107 councillors were returned unopposed; nobody is contesting with them, out of 160 Councillors. And I believe before that day more will step down because of the campaigns we are doing there”.
On the request made, he said; “I want to say that we have taken note of all the requests made by our traditional rulers of the two communities at the inauguration of the 5.3km Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass and drains at Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state. We will look into their requests,” he added.
On the road project, Governor Oborevwori commended the immediate past Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who initiated the road, while he completed it.
He added that the road contributes to the progress and growth of the state and reduces traffic congestion at the Koka interchange, thereby opening up the area for commercial activities.
“Delta is growing rapidly and it is an opportunity for people to come and acquire more lands here. I also commend the contractor for doing a good job as he has corrected all the observations I noted here during inspections of the project, he said.”
While performing the inauguration, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, thanked his host and Deltans for their warm reception, adding that he was proud to be associated with Governor Oborevwori and the people of the state.
He said he was particularly impressed with the performances of Governor Oborevwori in the first year of his administration, stressing that he was in Delta because of Oborevwori’ s performances and urged Deltans to support the Governor in the delivery of more dividends of democracy via his MORE Agenda, for the benefit of the people.
“If you go through Osun State, they don’t call me Mr Performer for nothing because we have turned all our roads in Osun State to a construction site.
“I appreciate Deltans for their massive reception since I came here and I am happy to identify with Governor Oborevwori who is performing well here.
“In Osun State, I will be two years in office in November but if you come to Osun State, I have turned the state into a construction site and we are building flyovers that they have never experienced before.
“Here in Delta, Governor Oborevwori is doing the same thing and I thank him for working for his people who freely gave him their mandate to govern them.
“I am here because God has put him in office for Deltans to enjoy the dividends of democracy and that is why I am here to celebrate with him and inaugurate the road.”
The Osun Governor urged Nigerians to return to agriculture as a panacea to rising hunger across the country, pointing out that agriculture used to be the economic mainstay of the country before the advent of crude oil in the country.
He recalled the days of the cocoa boom in Ondo and Osun states, adding that he vowed to encourage agriculture whenever he was opportuned to serve.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said the road comprised 5.3km length and10.6km drains with 10.3m pavement with width of 7.3km Asphalt overlay.
He said the road was constructed in line with the provisions of the Bill of Quantity and Bill of Engineering Measurement to check the perennial flooding that had impacted heavily on the residents of the area and make travel along the corridor seamless.
Izeze added that, in line with the policy of exacting value for actual funds spent by the government, the asphalt and other regulations were fully monitored before laying.
He commended Governor Oborevwori for his leadership, sagacity and financial dexterity which culminated in the completion of the project, despite the numerous challenges encountered during construction of the road.
On their parts, the Obuzor of Ibusa, Obi Professor Louis Nwaoboshi, and the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, Obi Michael Mbanefo, said the road was one of the crucial roads requested for at the creation of the local government area.
While commending Governor Oborevwori for fulfilling the long-awaited dream, they appealed to him to also link Okpanam and Akwukwu-Igbo and Okpanam with Ugbolu for easy navigation across the council area. They also appealed for the lighting up of the road.
