Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, has presented 20 Toyota Prado sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to judges in the state.
Speaking in Asaba, the capital of Delta, on Tuesday at the inauguration of the state’s new high court complex, Oborevwori said the presentation of the SUVs to judges fulfilled his promise.
Oborevwori said the completion of the high court building was in line with his commitment to completing projects inherited from previous administrations.
The governor said he was motivated to complete the project because the judiciary was the only arm of government without a befitting building for its operations in the state.
He thanked former President Goodluck Jonathan, who inaugurated the new high court complex, for his interest in the progress of Delta state.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I thank you for your friendship, partnership, and sustained interest in the progress of our dear state and Nigeria in general,” the governor said.
“Of the three arms of government, only the judiciary was lacking a befitting office building. This motivated me to hasten the completion of this project.
“I am glad that today the narrative has changed for good. The implication going forward is that the cause of justice will now be better served for the greater good of all.
“As a government, we have taken steps to further ensure that our judges and associated staff not only operate in a conducive and enabling environment but are also provided with the necessary tools that complement the functionality and prestige of their offices.”
Governor Oborevwori assured the judiciary of his commitment to ensuring the judiciary will have all they need to carry out their functions and duties for the greater good of Delta State.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Jonathan commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for credible performance and focus on the infrastructural development of Delta State.
Jonathan also lauded Governor Oborevwori for his prudence in returning unutilised funds of over N500 million to the state treasury when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The former President urged the people of Delta State to keep supporting the governor for the overall development of the state.
“I believe that if you go across the country today, this is one of the best judiciary headquarters in the country and I congratulate the governor and the judiciary of Delta State for this exemplary project.
“It is not easy for a public officer or even a civil servant to refund money to the government in most cases; it is extremely difficult, but as a Speaker, you were able to do that and that shows that you are somebody of high level of integrity and you can be trusted.
“Please, continue to manage the resources of the state in that manner and use the money in a way that will affect the people positively.
“There are some people who believe that they must bring a government down for the purpose of politics, but when you are struggling to bring a governor or president down for the purpose of politics, you are bringing the state or country down.
“This is because the Governor or the President is sitting with public resources and everybody must encourage him to succeed and that’s the only way we, as a nation, can grow, ” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, represented by the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, Hon. Justice Bolaji Yusuf, commended the state government for providing the magnificent edifice as a temple of justice in the state.
The five-storey edifice boasts of 6 Courtrooms, a Library, Conference Halls, 6 Witness Waiting Rooms, 6 Holding Cells, Ceremonial Hall, Black Maria Bay, Computer Laboratory, Multipurpose Hall, Control Room, Staff Canteen, Zoom Room, among others. The Complex is to enjoy 24/7 power supply via the Asaba IPP to allow for uninterrupted power supply.