Senator Onowakpo( 3rd from left in front row) flanked by others in the programme
By Ogbe Sunny
The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District,Senator Joel- Onowakpo said Federal Government’s neglect of Delta South in terms of infrastructural and human capital developments including inclusiveness in the government of the day for years is the bane of the growth and development of the area.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo stated this recently while delivering a keynote address at the strategic Leadership Retreat organised for his legislative Aids at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state .He said, come to think of it, despite the fact that Delta South Senatorial District is the one of the largest producers of crude Oil and Gas in the country, the Federal Government, over the years, did not see the need to develop the area and empower the people which is why, the people are impoverished.
According to him, if he thinks about what Delta South contributes in terms of crude oil production to the nation and the way the people in the region are deprived of the good things of the land, he is not happy, adding, with this neglect, the Federal Government has not been fair to the people. He said the presence of the Government is not felt in Delta South despite the pollution and environmental degradation in the area.
However, Senator Joel-Onowakpo said with the Government of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, there is hope for Nigeria which Delta South forms a part, adding that, the President is poised to make a difference by putting smiles on the people’s faces.
According to him:”.I have strong confidence in the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he shall do his best to salvage Delta South. I trust the President that he shall look at critical issues affecting our Senatorial District, such as environmental pollution and degradation, erosion and flooding, lack of development, poor inclusiveness in government, as well as empowerment of our people”.
Meanwhile,Senator Joel- Onowakpo has presented appointment letters to over 180 Legislative Aids after their inauguration. While addressing appointees,Senator Joel- Onowakpo said, by rule, the office of the Senate was entitled to only five Aids but he has taken a step further to make over 180 appointments to create room for all interests and to see that the people of Delta South get best representation. He however said,he was aware of the financial burden on the office, but he has no choice but accommodate his people pending when the Government looks at it. He therefore charged the legislative Aids not to betray the confidence reposed on them but make good use of the office to change their political fortunes to serve Delta South constituents.
Senator Onowakpo on the microphone during the programme
Responding on behalf of the Aides, the Senior Legislative Aide, Raymos Guanah, expressed gratitude to Senator Joel-Onowakpo for the opportunity given them to serve in this capacity. According to him, Senator Onowakpo has initiated unbeatable record by the appointment adding that, it was the first time in the history of the Senatorial District since Nigeria returned to Democratic rule in 1999 and therefore promised not to betray the confidence reposed on them.
According to him: “We promise to work assiduously to justify the confidence you have reposed on us and we pledge to support you in your efforts to attract the needed development to Delta South Senatorial District”. The event which was attended by prominent leaders and stakeholders from the Senatorial District to show support for the Senator, climaxed with the presentation of appointment letters to all the Legislative Aides by Senator Onowakpo amid jubilation.