OKUAMA/Nigeria: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Tuesday inaugurated a cluster of housing units and supporting infrastructure in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, signalling a major step in the government’s commitment to rebuild the community devastated in March 2024 following the killing of 17 Nigerian Army personnel.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, the governor described the ceremony as a moment of renewal and a significant step toward restoring hope and stability for the people of Okuama who were displaced by the crisis.
He said: “My beloved people of Okuama, and indeed of Delta State, this is more than a ceremony, it is a moment of renewal, a moment when we turn the page from pain to possibility, from loss to restoration, from despair to hope.”
Oborevwori noted that the event was not merely the commissioning of buildings but a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to peace, dignity and shared prosperity. He recalled the painful circumstances that led to the displacement of families, acknowledging that the wounds remain fresh.
He said the state had chosen the path of rebuilding, reconciliation and collective rebirth, despite the adversity faced by the people. He added that the resettlement camp stood as a symbol of this resolve.
He stressed that the facility was more than a cluster of houses, describing it as a place where families could regain stability and where Okuama could begin a new chapter. He reaffirmed that his administration, under the MORE Agenda, would continue to rebuild communities, restore trust and uphold the dignity of every resident.
The governor said the project demonstrated what leadership driven by compassion and responsibility could achieve, adding that it reflected the government’s desire to heal and rebuild broken communities.
He urged the people of Okuama to embrace the new beginning with unity and courage, calling on them to put aside divisions and work together as a family. He said the sustainability of peace and the protection of the new facilities depend on the collective resolve of the community.
Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the contractors, the Ministry of Housing, the Ughelli South Local Government Council, security agencies, community leaders and all stakeholders involved in delivering the project. He also commended the resilience and patience of the Okuama people, describing them as the true heroes of the moment.
Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Hon. Lucky Avweromre, said the Community Resettlement Centre was built by the council and thanked the governor for providing additional facilities including a primary school, secondary school and primary healthcare centre.
Okuama Community, in an address signed by Mr. Okrika Emmanuel and Comrade Akemor Victor, expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for coming to their rescue. They recalled the shock of the events of March 14, 2024, noting that the governor’s intervention prevented a worse situation.
The community commended the governor’s responsive leadership and pledged their support to his administration. They promised to sustain peace, uphold unity and protect the environment, describing Oborevwori as a man of peace.
The project consists of 40 room spaces, two blocks of buildings housing 20 toilets and bathrooms, a solar-powered water reticulation system and a paved, roofed walkway connecting all the structures.
