By Ameachi Prosper
Asaba: The Delta State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Oke Idawene has carpeted the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for stopping the payment of WAEC fees for students as well as the arbitrary increase of school fees in the state tertiary institutions, wondering how a governor who was voted to power on a promise of Prosperity for all Deltans now turn back to inflict pains on the masses.
In a press release signed by SDP Chairman, Mr. Oke Iduwene, a copy made available to our Correspondent, Chided Governor Okowa proposed school fees’ increase, stating that the SDP will join the entire students in the state to vehemently condemn in totality the proposed increase.
The Governor had last month proposed an increase of school fees across the tertiary institutions in the state’ a decision that had been generating criticism from Parents/Guardians in the last two weeks. Part of the statement reads: “It is gross insensitive by the Delta State government, cruel and evil at the time where over 70% of students are indigent students, where parents find it difficult to feed at homes let alone pay the current rate of school fees of their wards, SDP has taken a position that Okowa lacks the capacity to lead Delta State.
While the statement alleged that Governor Okowa’s financial support for the Edo PDP Governorship Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, would have been enough to do some projects in the state, it further alleged that the Governor had in recent times embarked on an unnecessary trips abroad at the detriment of Deltans.
The statement further said; “Gov. Okowa has proposed to increase the fees as follows; All colleges of Education Increment of N10, 000, All Polytechnics N20, 000 and N25, 000 to the University, we say capital No to this barbaric plan, we shall mobilize all Delta State students to resist it, including parents”
Continuing; “This is a governor who rode to power on welfarism programmes now the reverse is the case. We will not relent on our role as the opposition party, now our lives are in danger because we are telling the truth, we will not relent and i called on well meaning Deltans to speak up against bad and unpopular policies of the government.”
