By Tony Eke
There’s something intrinsic about the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the Oborevwori administration which gives it a greater signification than its generic denotation. Beyond the musicality of the acronym is the worth of the mantra which resonates with a broad spectrum of Deltans that appreciate the enrichment of the state’s socio-economic ambience in the past year that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori had been in the saddle as governor of Delta State. His serial policy initiatives and multiple projects, whether ongoing or completed, continue to generate benefits to the diverse parts of the state.
An acclamation of the worthy performance of the Oborevwori administration was gleaned from the celebration by virtually all segments of Delta State two weeks ago on the occasion of the governor’s first anniversary. That commemoration which was rapturous and all-pervading, affirmed the governor’s growing strength of vision and willpower to grow Delta on many fronts, birthing new programmes and revisiting uncompleted projects left by his predecessors largely due to extenuating circumstances.
In our developing clime of competing demands for infrastructure, the completion of a seemingly abandoned project therefore brings about joy in a beneficiary community. As noted by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, the latest road delivery elongates the list of projects executed by Governor Oborevwori in his quest to boost the infrastructure base of the state and enhance the lives of the citizenry.
That Emevor, a community in Isoko North Local Government Area, was immersed in jubilation as Governor Oborevwori commissioned phase one of the Emevor-Orogun road on Tuesday June 11, 2024, could be deemed an understatement. The exultant mood of indigenes and their compatriots from the larger Isoko nation that converged on a ceremonial point adjacent to James Welch Grammar School, along the Ozoro-Ughelli expressway, was understandable for two reasons. The road had been in a protracted deplorable state and a prolonged clamour for its remediation or outright reconstruction preceded its award by the Okowa administration in 2022, but the latter’s inability to complete it before its exit in 2023 had bred an air of despondency in the community.
The import of the day not only bolstered the impressive scorecard of Governor Oborevwori but also validated his humane disposition and sensitivity to the genuine needs of the people. As it were, Emevor has joined the league of privileged communities where Oborevwori has intervened and addressed their plights in one way or the other. This is succintly captured by the appreciative speeches of four leading lights in the area, namely the President-General of Emevor, Mr. Perry Edoso, renowned medical doctor and chairman, Hospitals Management Board (HMB), Dr. Paul Oweh, as well as the member representing Isoko nation at the National Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko and the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) of Isoko North Local Council, Mr. Godwin Onokpasa.
The most notable advantage of the road lies with the access and connectivity it provides to other parts of the state. While the completed phase one covers only 4.04 kilometres as disclosed by the Commissioner for Works (Rural & Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the remaining eight kilometres would on completion connect Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Council. The envisaged relief to Deltans travelling within Ughelli and Isoko axis to the aforementioned terminal point would be evident in due course. At the present time, whoever wants to go to Orogun from Ughelli is compelled to go to Otovwodo junction and pass through Agbarha-Otor while those in Isoko hinterland would have to access Owhelogbo from Ozoro and thereafter link up a roundabout that connects Orogun, Abbi, and Abraka though separately.
While excitement suffused the venue from the beginning to the end, the governor’s directive to Mr. Aniagwu to scope the remaining section of the road for eventual award electrified the atmosphere. His action was a swift response to the community’s clamour for the award of the second phase of the road. With the governor’s symbolic tape-cutting over, a retinue of officials and visitors that walked to that point nodded satisfactorily after assessing the quality of the road, which, bolstered by the presence of drains on both sides and thick asphalted course, is a testament of Oborevwori administration’s avowal of fidelity to give Deltans value for their money at all times.
The galaxy of government functionaries included the governor’s wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Deputy Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpohwohwo, Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, and Chief of Staff to the governor, Prince Johnson Erijo, among others.
