Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Dr. David Ige, during the Presentation of Kwale Industrial Park to the Governor, in Government House Asaba. PIX; JIBUNOR SAMUEL.
By Fidelis Egugbo
Writing about an industrial park in Kwale evokes a lot of emotions. Only recently, we were discussing about the marginalisation of Ugiliamai in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State, how the Delta State Government has not dropped a trip of sand in the community or gave a political appointment to an indigene of the community since the birth of the current democracy in 1999. Of course, the issue at stake was the construction of the less than 5 km road to link the community to the expressway through the earth road by the Ossissa bridge.
The road, Ugiliamai/Ossissa road is very vital as it connects two local government areas and can easily, shorten travel distance to Abraka through Ogume or Agbor through Utagba-Uno, Obiaruku. Of course, the issue of how the attention of the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was drawn to the road was being discussed until an elder chipped in, saying, “my children, this is democracy, the government will continue to construct roads, it will get to a stage where they will be looking for roads to construct and they will remember the Ugiliamai/Ossissa road, just continue with your support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because, our leader, Senator Patrick Osakwe has said that is the place to be.”
Of course, his admonitions ended the discussion on the topic as people with divergent views discussed with like minds. As I was reminiscing on the issue, the title of the book by erudite Prof. Steve Agwo Okecha, “Ndokwaland: Waiting For The Coconut To Fall” came to mind. The title depicts and captured the Ndokwa man as non-aggressive, relaxed and alway relying on God.
There was a time the Aboh Kingdom ranked among the biggest kingdoms in Africa. It was so powerful that the Obi of Aboh was not just revered, he was held in awe. Its power got to the extent that when divisions were about to be created, it got one, the Aboh Division. However, its marginalisation began when divisions were being carved into local government areas, as it got only three local government areas; Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani whereas other divisions of same status got as much as six local government areas.
A friend who is active in politics, Hon. Uche Uraih can easily tell you that “every flower has its season.” These words can be consoling, soothing and reflects on the essence of life, especially given the fact that with the emergence of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as the Governor of Delta State, there has been a positive turn of the hands of the clock to favour the Ndokwa people.
Since 2015 when Governor Okowa came on board, we have heard about an approval for a federal university in the area. Of course, it is an area that has no institution of higher learning in Delta State whereas, it plays host to the biggest gas plant in West Africa, the Okpai Gas Plant and through the Independent Power Plant (IPP) also located in Okpai, feeds the national grid with electricity. Ironically, till date, the entire area is still relying on individual’s generators to power their electrical appliances.
With Governor Okowa in the saddle, one of the “tourists’ attractions” in the area, a Pontoon said to have been brought by the oil companies to cross the Ase Creek at Kwale shortly after the nation’s independence, is being removed as the governor is constructing a bridge across the river. If it is Governor Okowa administration that is the messiah for constructing the bridge, you can imagine the state of the roads in the area, yet, there is no militant in the area who is threatening to blow up the oil and gas pipelines that crisscrossed various communities. Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West local government councils should find a way of preserving that pontoon for the future. There are still several communities like, Aballa, Umuolu and others that can only be reached with a pontoon.
So, it was wonderful to know that Governor Okowa again is passionate about the development of an industrial park at Kwale.
Donald Duke etched his name in the hearts of generations of the people of Cross Rivers State through such ventures like TINAPA. Okowa might not be taking a cue from Duke but, he is blazing the trail in the industrialization of Delta State. The location of the Kwale Industrial Park is such that those who will work at the park will be mainly, residents among the Isokos and the Urhobos bearing in mind the fact their proximity to the area.
Again, the project will generate about 70, 000 jobs. Imagine a place playing host to 50, 000 workers, indeed, the multiplier benefits will be unquantifiable. One important consideration is the use of the Warri Port for the movement of the goods and of course, the airports in Asaba and Osubi will be so busy that all over the state, the socio-economic life of the people will witness tremendous change, positively.
Governor Okowa’s promised prosperity for all Deltans can be said to be on course and we need to applaud him for erecting sustainable structures for Deltans to be prosperous for years to come.
Industrialists that will make use of the park, naturally will have a lot to thank God for as both skilled and unskilled manpower abound in the state. From the briefing by the consultants to the project, the major gas supply pipeline in the nation is at the middle of the park, so, uninterrupted power supply is guaranteed.
From the analogy earlier given about the people of Kwale, they are so godly that they believe that whatever happens is how it has been willed by God, so, a peaceful, cooperative host communities is guaranteed.
That Governor Okowa is committed to the successful and speedy take-off of the project is never in doubt, as he said during the briefing by the consultants three days ago. “As a government, I want to reassure you (the consultants) of our commitment to the fast take-off of the industrial park. I want to guarantee that we will be with you every step of the way for the best results to be achieved for our people and our country, Nigeria.”
“Based on the numerous benefits derivable from the industrial park, which is in line with my administration’s desire for a prosperous and stronger Delta State as our people will be employed and a lot of socio-economic activities will go on across the state as a result of the park. As a government, we will continue to do our best for the desired results to be achieved,” he said.
The governor emphasised, “I am glad that you have made appreciable level of progress in the development of the industrial park. From the analysis given, all is set for investors to come in and I am confident that from the materials available and the conducive environment for industries to thrive, potential investors will get a quick return on their investments.”
There is no doubt that industrialists from all over the world will take advantage of the huge market for their products, especially in Nigeria, to set up their businesses at the park. With 24 hours electricity, accessible means of transportation, friendly environment, among others, Governor Okowa can be said to have hit the bull’s eye in his quest for a stronger Delta through the Kwale Industrial Park.
With the park, it is like God has released the ripe coconut too for the people of Ndokwa land and their long wait is not in vain. No doubt, the park will translate to the speedy development of the area and other parts of the state.
(As published on page 10 of today’s, Sunday, July 28, 2019 edition of The Pointer newspaper).
