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OLOROGUN Taleb Avwerosuoghene Tebite is the member representing Ughelli South in the Delta State House of Assembly. In this interview, Tebite speaks on the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Excerpts:
How do you rate Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s development initiative in the transport sector?
Governor Uduaghan is one man that is very committed to the development of the entire state. His developmental projects are scattered all over Delta. He has touched every community; no matter how small the community is, Uduaghan’s government has at least a project there.
In the area of transport, the governor has greatly alleviated the suffering of Deltans. In the past, there were few government vehicles plying the roads and transport fare were exorbitant rate, but, today, you see government mass transit buses, luxurious buses and cars plying all routes in the state and beyond. Delta Transport Line has been revitalized.
The state transport commissioner, Mr Ben Igbakpa, is also doing well; he has brought life into that ministry. Government has also bought a good number of tricycles to cushion the effect of the ban on ‘Okada’ in Asaba, Effurun, parts of Ethiope East Local Government and Warri.
As I speak with you, the state government has also intervened in river transportation. The state government, in the last few months, has bought speed boats worth millions of naira to ease river transportation in the state. When you go to Delta Boat Yard in Warri, you will appreciate what I am saying better.
Let me use this opportunity to commend Governor Uduaghan for the re-introduction of regional water scheme in the state. Under this water scheme, water will now flow in all parts of the state and in our homes, whether you have a water borehole in your house or not.
I thank the deputy governor, Prof Amos Agbe Utuama, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, who marked his 53rd birthday last week, the state commissioner for water resources, Dr Chris Oghenechovwen, and the commissioner for millennium development goals, Queen mother Victoria Ikenchukwu, for their team work with the governor and, I repeat, the people of Delta will enjoy better water scheme under this regional water plan.
The state government is also doing very well in the area of health; almost all the hospitals in the state have been upgraded with modern healthcare facilities.
The Eku Baptist Hospital, built by missionaries, has been taken over and renovated with modern health equipment. I commend the effort of the commissioner for health, Dr Joseph Otumara, for bringing our hospitals to modern standard.
The commissioner for environment, Mr Frank Omare, must be commended for the general cleanliness and opening of water channels in our major towns.
How do you rate the performance of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as a member of the Delta State House of Assembly?
Governor Uduaghan is the governor to beat in Nigeria as at today. He is one Governor that has coordinated projects in all aspects of human endearvour. Since he assumed office in May 2007, he has kept faith with his three-point agenda.
In the area of infrastructure, Uduaghan is doing well; in the area of health, Uduaghan is doing well; in education and agriculture is doing exceedingly well. You are very conversant with the state; take a drive across the state, you see massive construction of township roads completed and ongoing in Asaba, Agbor, Sapele, Jeremi and other major towns in the State.
In the area of education; ninety percent of our primary and secondary schools are undergoing reconstruction. Let me use this medium to commend our commissioner for basic and secondary education, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, and the commissioner for higher education, Prof Hope Eghagha for bringing their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their duties.
The commissioner for power and energy, Mr Charles Emetulu, also need to be commended for the work he is doing particularly in our rural communities; even our riverine communities are being linked.
How do you describe the relationship between the executive and legislative arm of government in the state?
We have a cordial working relationship. The House under the leadership of Rt Hon Victor Ochei is vibrant and very focused. We have passed several bills that have direct bearing on governance in the state. This year’s appropriation bill is a bill for the rapid development of the state; every part of the state has projects in the appropriation bill. Better days await the people and I wish to appeal to them never to relent in their support for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Uduaghan holds the development of the state close to his heart and is determined to accomplish his vision for the state before the expiration of his tenure in 2015.
Let us look at the Asaba International Airport; how has it affected the economy of Delta since it commenced local flight last year?
The airport, apart from its economic gains, has given Asaba, the state capital a face lift. People are now building around the airport; the capital city is developing towards that direction now. The airport is a very busy one and you can imagine how it will be when it commences international flights with cargo planes landing in the airport.
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