WARRI/Nigeria: The Director General of the Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Special Area Development Agency (WUEDA), Prince Godwin Ejinyere, has embarked on a mission to rejuvenate the once-thriving Oil City, soliciting the support of traditional rulers and local government authorities to achieve this ambitious goal.
In a notable development on Thursday, October 19, 2023, Hon. Ejinyere, accompanied by a high-powered delegation from WUEDA, paid courtesy visits to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Abe the 1st, and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Hon. Ramson Onoyake in Effurun.
During these visits, Hon. Ejinyere conveyed the intentions of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to utilize WUEDA as a catalyst for restoring the area’s lost glory, aligning with the “More Agenda” of the administration.
Hon. Ejinyere emphasized that Governor Oborevwori’s vision can only be realized through the collective efforts of the community. He stated, “The only way to appreciate the Governor is for everyone to work very hard to achieve his More Agenda.”
At the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom’s palace, Prince Ejinyere sought the royal father’s blessings to ensure the success of his mission, beginning with Uvwie. He pointed out that Effurun, the gateway to the Oil City, lacked the grandeur expected at such an entrance and pledged that WUEDA was committed to developing and beautifying it to global standards.
Hon. Ejinyere underlined WUEDA’s commitment to partnering with traditional rulers, chiefs, religious leaders, community influencers, and opinion leaders to raise awareness about the agency’s mission and its benefits to the local population. He also expressed his determination to combat issues like indiscriminate refuse dumping and unauthorized parking of vehicles in the region, emphasizing that peace and security are prerequisites for the return of nightlife and attracting investors to the city.
The Director General lamented the substandard quality of government projects delivered by contractors in the past but assured that such practices would cease under his watch. He stressed, “If you see something, say something, so that contracts can be executed according to specifications and global best practices for the overall benefit of the people.”
He praised the Governor for selecting Julius Berger to handle flyover projects in the Oil City for the next 27 months and appealed to the public not to hinder the construction company’s progress. Flyovers are planned for PTI and Enerhen junctions, as well as Effurun and DSC roundabouts.
Following the visits, a stakeholders’ meeting will be convened to articulate the agency’s mission, ensuring that the public is well-informed about its objectives. A mobile Task Force will also be established to work with WUEDA to ensure compliance.
In response, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Abe the 1st, extended his gratitude to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for prioritizing the development of the Oil City through WUEDA, noting that he had successfully sensitized his subjects and eliminated extortion. The monarch warned that anyone obstructing the development of Warri, Uvwie, and environs was an enemy of progress.
He also revealed that efforts were underway to rid the region of all crimes, particularly kidnapping.
During the visit to the office of Uvwie Council Chairman, Hon. Ramson Onoyake, Prince Ejinyere emphasized WUEDA’s commitment to beautifying the environment and revitalizing the nightlife. He stressed that this transformation was not for personal gain but for the benefit of all residents. Hon. Ejinyere also warned that illegal structures constructed in natural waterways would be demolished to serve as a deterrent.
In response, Hon. Ramson Onoyake pledged the council’s full support for WUEDA’s mission, emphasizing that the people eagerly awaited positive change. He highlighted the desire for nightlife to return to the Uvwie area and commended Prince Ejinyere for his well-deserved appointment as Director General.
The visits culminated in group photographs of Hon. Ejinyere and his team with their hosts, marking a significant step toward the realization of WUEDA’s mission to restore the lost glory of the Oil City.
