Delta at 25: ‘Blame leaders for slow pace of development’

Pastor Dr Gloria Bank Onephronjire: "I want to talk as a mother Delta state was given birth to 25yrs ago. It is not easy to nurture a baby to adult especially when we are talking about here now. 'Delta state' was nurtured by different fathers. A child brought up by different fathers may find it difficult to do well.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Based on the above fact, we can say that Delta state has tried to some extent in terms of development because the people that have ruled the state for these 25yrs have different ideas and policies without continuity. When one goes the second one coming will begin from a different platform instead of continuing with the program and policies of the previous government. This has affected the rate of development in the state. In this regards Delta state has tried.

However, if you look at it from the angle of adulthood a child of 25yrs should be able to fend for his or herself and this regard Delta state has not tried and this is tied to the leaders. The leaders are responsible for the slow pace of development in the state. They should be held responsible and any corrupt one should be probed irrespective of political affiliations. For example China became developed when corrupt leaders were being killed that put fears in the minds of those coming to rule. Also the women and youths should be empowered. There is the saying, that if you empower a woman you empower a nation, while the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. So the women and youths should be empowered for rapid development of the state".

In his assessment, Comrade Edariese Peter A., President General Oviri-Olomu Community said. "If we look at the development of Delta state, one can say that Delta state is moving at a very slow pace judging from the fact that Delta state is an oil producing state with revenue accruing to it from the federation account, Derivation and NDDC. What is saying is that Delta state has not received the development that is can measure or equal to the revenue accruing to it since this 25yrs of creation.

Delta state is supposed to be one of the most developed States by today. If we are to look at Warri for example, a city that has been known for years in Delta state, the roads are in squalor, in shambles, and not assessable. If you are going into Warri, the road leading to it is in a very bad shape with potholes everywhere and still a one lane road when it is supposed to be dualized. If Delta state life is to be judged by Warri as a known city then one can say that Delta state is highly underdeveloped.

I want to advised that only those who have interest in the development of Delta state should be allowed to govern the state while past corrupt leaders should be probed irrespective of their position",

Speaking, Bishop Dr Diamond Emuobor, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ughelli North LGA."First, I want to thank God for the creation of Delta state which was realized after much agitation by Deltans on August 27th 1991. It brought happiness to the extent that we fill we can now develop to became the hub of industrialization in Nigeria because we are favored by God as we have all that is required to develop. We have the seas, the rubber and to cap it up the crude oil as well as a formidable human resources. Delta state is also a Christian state. So, the state was godly design to be envied by other States of the federation.

But what we find today is opposite because of wrong foundation from the creation to the appointment of an administrator They appointed an administrator who was a non indigene who was only interested in enriching himself and so were others who came to govern the state. They went away with our money if not the development of the state would have been higher than this by now.

Then when politics came, the politics of senatorial district became another problem. Instead of joining hand to develop the state, we became acrimonious to one another because of senatorial politics. Huge finance of the state has been wasted in court cases which have also affected the development of the state. We should support whoever that wins the election so that our state can develop.

Today there are roads that have not been tarred, schools without fence and benches, communities without pipe borne water in the state. All these are signs that our development is low. Look at what Ogbemudia did in the then Bendel state. The politics of partisan has not helped us; we should put party aside when it comes to developing our God given state.

 For this present regime, our governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is a politician who started politics from the grassroots, as local government chairman, a commissioner, secretary to the state government, a senator and now a governor is very sure he will do well despite the financial position of the state. He has started well so he will end well by the grace of God."