Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, said his administration would engage relevant Federal Government authorities for the revitalization of all sea ports in the state during the reception of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III (CFR) and his retinue of chiefs at Government House, Asaba.
He commended the leadership quality of the Olu of Warri, describing him as a blessing to our generation. Oborevwori said; “I appreciate you for the love you have shown this administration. You have been very supportive and I appreciate you for coming here today to congratulate me. As a royal father, you prayed for all of us (Governorship candidates) and your prayer then was that God should give the state somebody that will move the state higher.
“You blessed all of us but I was chosen and that’s the reason you are here today with all your people. Your Majesty, your leadership quality is something that we appreciate. You are a blessing to our generation.
“This administration places a high premium on the role of traditional rulers in governance. This is because the royal fathers are the bridge between the people at the grassroot and the government.
“Without the royal fathers, we can’t achieve peace in all our kingdoms. So, they are in charge of their kingdoms; that’s why we always go to them to seek their prayers and support.
“Please, anything that we are doing as a government that you are not pleased with, don’t fail to correct us. My government is open to constructive criticism.
“And if we are also doing very well, don’t fail to commend us. Constructive criticism is allowed everywhere in the world and Delta State would not be an exception. What we don’t like is blackmail.
“Your Majesty, I have listened to your request. I promised during my inauguration that Warri will have a positive new face. I have gone round Warri and looked at some places with urgent attention; we are already working on that.
“We are already working on a befitting stadium for Warri. As we speak, they are doing the design of the stadium because I don’t want a situation where we construct and after a few years, it will start having problems.
“We also have challenge with the drains in that area; as we speak, phase 1 of the storm drainage has been completed by Levant, phase 2 is about 90 per cent completed and the last, which is the phase three, will soon be completed.
“Without the storm drainage, if you construct any road in Warri, it will be washed away. I want to assure you that Warri will have a positive new face in Jesus name.” he said.
On the controversy surrounding attempted renaming of parts of Warri, Governor Oborevwori cautioned proponents to maintain the existing peace in the oil city.
“People talk about Warri; Warri today has expanded beyond the main town. Even today, people call Osubi, Warri. I don’t know why people want to make trouble.
“Warri today is a general name. I am from Osubi but when you ask me where I am from, I will tell you Warri. So, Warri is Warri and nobody can change it.”
On the ports, Governor Oborevwori said he was committed to engaging the Federal Government on the revitalization of the ports in the state.
“The Port is something that is key to the development of Delta state. Even without coming here to make a request, I will start engaging with the people at the national to see how all the Ports in Delta state will be rehabilitated.
“If the Ports are rehabilitated, it will bring a lot of developments in the state. The issue of refinery, I know that as soon as they finish the maintenance of the refinery, it will come back to operation.”
On the request for clean water in the riverine areas, Oborevwori said; “we actually need clean water. There is a project that is on going and your son is the Commissioner for Water Resources; I know he will brief me and he knows what to do. If he comes with the proposal, we will look into it”.
He thanked the Warri Kingdom and the Itsekiri nation for their support for his election, adding that no ethnic nationality would be marginalised in his administration.
“The Warri kingdom and the Itsekiri nation supported me during my election that’s why we did not lose in any of the local government areas in that area. That’s why you see that in this administration, we have four Commissioners and one Special Adviser from your area.” Governor Oborevwori stated.
Earlier, the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse III, CFR, said he led a delegation of the Itsekiri nation to congratulate the Governor on his victory at the Supreme Court.
He appealed to the Governor to help site an institution of higher learning in Warri kingdom.
The Monarch said: “The people have spoken; and now the courts have spoken. The same God who set you on this path, will continue to guide you and perfect what He has started. You have our support and prayers.
“We also want to express our appreciation, for infrastructural developments in Warri axis. The roads, drainages, stadium, particularly the Ode-Itsekiri Road and bridges, Ugborodo phase 2 road which links Ugbegungun to Otumara).
“While it is under the purview of the Federal Government, we request that you join our voice in encouraging the Federal Government to speedily move in the direction of rehabilitating the ports in Delta state and refinery in Warri.
“Revitalising these ports would ease the plight of idleness and unemployment with our young able youths”.
He appealed to the Governor to help conclude the water scheme, joint development between the state and Chevron, for the Olero and Dibi axis, stressing that potable water in the riverine area had always been an issue.
“We need all the assistance we can get from the government to make access to potable water easier for our people in Tebu, Gbokoda, Ajametan, Udoh and Jakpa.”
Former Governor of the State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, and top government functionaries from the Itsekiri nation joined Governor Oborevwori in welcoming the Olu’s delegation.
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