By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa said Delta State has witnessed tremendous growth and development in many areas of life than he met it as a Governor years ago.
Governor Okowa stated this on Monday during media chat with Journalists in Asaba, the state capital. He said the state is more peaceful than when he met it saying that, this is possible due to his creation of Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Ministry .
On youths’ empowerment, he said through different entrepreneurship programmes, many of the youths have been trained in different skills acquisition adding, they monitored their progress saying that, today, many of those trained have in turn empowered many Deltans.
He said:”Deltans would agree with me that there are growth and developments in all areas than when l met it even though when l came in, there was virtually nothing l met in the treasury“
On roads, he said, many of the roads have undergone construction as while new ones were constructed, the old ones have been rehabilitated across the state especially in Warri and Asaba.
According to him, many of these roads have been commissioned while others have not been commissioned adding, the roads, no doubt, have reduced the traffic congestions being experienced on the roads especially in Asaba. He said, his government has constructed bridges just as he said others have been re- awarded especially the one of Ayakromo among others.
According to Governor Okowa, before he came as a Governor, the flood was ravaging many parts of the state especially Warri and Asaba saying, but today, Deltans would notice that most of the floods areas have been worked upon and floods are no more.
He said:” Many of us may have forgotten now but l do know that before now, the flood in many parts of the state especially Asaba was something else especially when rain falls but today, the Asaba has put on a new look, all to the glory of God”.
On educated sector, Governor Okowa said the state government has been able to upgrade four higher institutions in the state to the universities levels adding, the purpose is to enable many of Deltans seeking admission into the universities to gain admission.
According to him, the idea of denying many children admission due to lack of higher institutions has become a thing of the past just as he defended the exorbitant fees being charged by these schools authority saying, no need to cry because there is no way the schools can run their expenses in terms of salaries payment and other sundry expenses if fees are not increased because the value of money has depreciated over the years. He said, even most of the private universities that many of the parents take their children to, are more expensive than the government’s owned schools yet, they don’t complain.
He said“: Let them criticize me but l know the upgrading of the universities is for the good of our people, l don’t bother because l know what l have done is for the good and betterment of all and sundry'”.
On health sector, he said his administration has tried as health facilities have been improved. According to him, the contributory health scheme has helped many Deltans as over a million persons have been enrolled on the scheme. He said, when people criticize that state government under his leadership has not done anything, is because they easily forget.
He however said, there is no way his administration could have done everything within eight years saying, the other government that would take over from him would continue from where he would stop.
He said:” Government is a continuous process, anywhere my government stops in terms of infrastructural and human capital development, the incoming government would continue from there“
Governor Okowa the media for their co-operation over the years as they have helped in no small measure in helping to enlighten the public of the activities of his administration just as he thanked all Deltans for their cooperation over the years adding, left for him, he would not have been able to do it alone.