The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I has called on the federal government to expand the Osubi airport in order to accommodate bigger aircraft. The monarch made the plea over the weekend during a grand reception in honour of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at the Ovie’s Palace, Effurun, organized in his honour by Uvwie Kingdom, where he hails from.
The traditional ruler also demanded for the total takeover of the airport by the federal government and for the installation of adequate equipment for flawless flights at day and nights.
The Ovie also drew the attention of the government to the revitalization and revamping of NPA port at Warri, Sapele and Koko, to accommodate bigger vessels. He noted that this would help in decongesting the Lagos ports, facilitate commerce and industry in the Niger Delta as well as create jobs and bring back the old glory of the Warri province.
He decried the poor condition of the Warri-Effurun-Sapele-Benin and Orerokpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor roads which he said had become an embarrassment to the people of the Niger Delta. He added: ”Effurun-Warri-Sapele road, constructed in the late sixties, has not seen any development over the years.”
HRM Emmanuel Sideso also urged the Federal Government to intervene in the alleged illegal “occupation” of Uvwie land by the Army. He sought the release of their land acquired for use as barracks by the Army, but now being sold to private developers.
He said: “We seek the release and reversion of the portion of our land acquired for the Nigerian Army’s use for barracks, which is now being sold to private developers and homeowners through sale and lease to individuals and corporate bodies at huge sums of money through unknown intermediaries.
“In a bizarre twist, the Army authorities, through their cohorts, have further taken possession of our lands beyond the size the Federal Government originally acquired for the Army. We dare say that the Nigerian Army cannot be an occupying force against our people. We demand the reversion of our lands.
Also, the Federal Government should stop indiscriminate dredging by individual in urbanised areas, which poses serious threat to our communities,” the monarch said.
Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his speech, said Keyamo had paid his dues even before he became a politician.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Areas), Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, noted that the Minister had represented Delta State meritoriously at different occasions just as he congratulated him for his appointment as a member of the Federal cabinet.
Judging by the calibre of personalities that graced the epoch making event, Oborevwori said Keyamo’s capacity traversed political parties.
He urged the Uvwie born Minister of Aviation and Aerospace to use his position to attract development to the entire Delta State.
An elated Keyamo, thanked the royal father of Uvwie Kingdom for the honour given to him and promised to deliver the demands of the traditional ruler to President Tinubu.
