WITH the creation of the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure in Delta State, an environmental crusader in the Niger Delta Region, and President, Center For Peace and Environmental Justice, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has hinted on why he was not surprised that the Governor created the Directorate.
Giving the hint at the Center For Peace And Environmental Justice Secretariat at Osubi, Warri, Comrade Mulade, said, even before he became governor of Delta State, Gov Oborevwori had shown deep concern for the deplorable condition of the riverine area of the State.
“I recall that, as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Gov Oborevwori was favourably disposed to the Bill I submitted for the development of riverine communities in the State”, Comrade Mulade revealed.
He said, the agitation/quest for riverine areas development in Delta State is an age long demand because of the huge economic potentials of the area.
“The riverine area of the state is the goose that lays the golden egg, as the bulk of oil and gas that is gotten from there form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and by extension, Delta State economy.
“Unfortunately, in-spite of these economic resources, the area has been neglected in terms of socio-economic and infrastructural development”, he said.
Comrade Mulade, therefore, said, this is why those living in the riverine communities of the State are immensely grateful to Gov Oborevwori for remembering them by his creation of the Directorate Of Riverine Infrastructure.
The Directorate, Comrade Mulade said will not only speed up the development of the area, but will be a catalyst for beefing up the Internally Generated Revenue of the State.
He, therefore, charged the Directorate and its Commissioner to swing into action by carrying out an assessment tour of the riverine communities to enable him come up with a blue print for the development of the area and identify the potentials within.
The tour, he said will enable the Commissioner and his team to identify the Directorate’s core areas of need for development, among others.
Reacting to the feeling of those living in the riverine communities of the State on hearing of the creation of the Directorates, Comrade Mulade said, Gov Oborevwori has engaged the people in the riverine communities, and has given them a sense of belonging in the State. “
“He has listened to, and answered the call of the riverine people, and so, he deserves commendation,” Comrade Mulade added.
