By Emmanuel Enebeli
The obvious slow pace of infrastructure development and economic growth in Delta State which trailed the previous administrations will continue to hurt the psyche of the good people of the state.
In other words, the hitherto lethargic and lackluster governance structure of past administrations brings to mind the absence of prudent management of public resources and innovative leadership needed to cause meaningful growth and transformation of the oil-rich state into a model of infrastructural masterpiece and economic behemoth.
Though the relics of the failings of the past still dot the nook and cranny of the state, however, it is inspiring to note that the stream of innovation and refinements is being injected into governance in the state by the government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will speedily catalyse the long awaited development of the state at unprecedented scale.
On that note therefore, the maxim, “to whom honour is due, honour is given” would rightly be fitting to ignite an outpouring of encomiums on the governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
No doubt, that the governor truly deserves applaud for having the political will and rare determination to broach a vision and commence a commendable regime of massive road infrastructure development in Delta State evident in the ongoing construction of arterial roads and flyovers around the PTI – DSC roundabout area in Effurun, a bustling city and business hub of the state.
It is no exaggeration that the governor’s invitation to a construction giant, Julius Berger to handle the construction of flyovers and expansion of the PTI expressway extending to the DSC roundabout including Enerhen junction (yet to be started), is a commendable action never seen in the past or imagined would be practicable this time. Kudos to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori!
No apology to previous chief executives of the state who perhaps, not gifted with innovative exploits, disingenuously watched Warri, Effurun, and other cities in the state badly deteriorate to the consternation of discerning people of Delta State.
As discerning minds would ask, “If state governors don’t prioritize massive infrastructural development of the state, and ‘invent’ policies to improve the wellbeing of the people, what is their relevance for being chief executives of the state?
To put it succinctly, the primacy of governance is to ensure the welfare and security of the people!
Reminiscing about the massive construction – road expansion, flyover, and pedestrian bridges, including a cloverleaf interchange, currently ongoing around the PTI junction and DSC roundabout area, unequivocally tells a success story already begun by the sitting governor, and there is a compelling need to encourage him to replicate it across the state and etch his name in the annals of history.
Interestingly, this writer was privileged to sight the ‘roaring’ of construction machines and the commitment of workers carrying out tasks at the construction site being coordinated by competent construction engineers working assiduously to meet the deadline for the completion of the project whose contract was signed last year.
The sight was quite appealing as the massive construction speaks to the fact that more good things are in the offing for the state under the headship of governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Without mincing words, the projects, when completed, will be a cynosure of topnotch infrastructure speaking to an item of good governance taking centre stage in Delta State.
This writer is very excited about the construction activities going on around PTI and DSC roundabout being executed by a reputable construction company, Julius Berger.
Deltans are happy about the new “thinking” of the governor, driven by innovation targeted at changing the face of the state and making it stand out in infrastructure development.
It is pertinent to say therefore that if governor Sheriff Oborevwori would sustain this tempo, the state government will not go cap in hand begging investors to invest in the state.
As it is the world over, massive state-of-the-art infrastructure across the state is all that the Delta State government needs to attract both foreign and local investors to develop its resource-rich economy and improve the standard of living of the people through job creation and foster a conducive environment for small and medium scale businesses to thrive successfully.
The governor should be encouraged to be focused as all eyes are on him to write his name in gold.
It is a rare opportunity beckoning at him… He must not bungle it at all…
