Okowa Flags Off PDP Campaign, Announces N3 Billion Budget for Drainage Project in Effurun/Warri Axis

Okowa disclosed this on Friday during the official flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Oghara, the hometown of former governor James Ibori, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. He said his administration had recorded significant achievements because of the support and cooperation of the people of Delta State.

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has announced that his administration set aside N3 billion in the state budget for drainage projects aimed at tackling persistent flooding in the Effurun/Warri axis.

Okowa made the announcement on Friday during the official flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Oghara, the hometown of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, in Ethiope West Local Government Area.

The governor said his administration had recorded significant achievements since taking office, attributing much of the progress to the support, cooperation and peaceful disposition of the people of Delta State.

According to Okowa, the relative peace in the state had contributed to Delta becoming one of Nigeria’s leading oil-producing states. He also highlighted several projects and programmes undertaken by his administration, including the award of more than 350 road projects, the construction and renovation of thousands of classrooms, improvements to health facilities and the introduction of the state’s health insurance scheme.

He said the planned drainage projects in Effurun and Warri were part of his administration’s efforts to address flooding in some parts of the state.

“We are constructing drainage systems to tackle flooding, and in the course of this year we will commence drainage projects in the Effurun/Warri axis, for which we have made a budgetary provision of N3 billion,” Okowa said.

The governor also said his administration had constructed and renovated more than 4,700 classrooms and awarded contracts for the renovation of the state teaching hospital. He added that Delta was among the states taking significant steps toward expanding health insurance coverage from the formal sector to people working in the informal sector.

Okowa thanked Deltans for supporting the PDP during the 2015 elections, saying the state had passed through difficult economic conditions but continued to make progress.

He said his administration had delivered on many of its campaign promises and pledged to build on those achievements if re-elected.

“As we move forward, we will continue to grow prosperity and build a stronger Delta,” he said, adding that such progress could only be achieved through cooperation and the maintenance of peace across the state.

Okowa urged PDP supporters to campaign for the party’s candidates at all levels, from the presidency to the state House of Assembly.

The governor also challenged his opponents to engage him in a public debate on their plans and achievements, insisting that the governorship contest should be based on issues rather than political intimidation.

He expressed confidence that the PDP would perform strongly across the state’s local government areas and urged supporters to take the party’s message directly to residents.

“Tell the people what we have done, what we are doing and what we intend to do,” Okowa said.

Also speaking at the campaign, former Delta State Governor James Ibori appealed to political parties and their supporters to ensure that the 2019 general elections were conducted peacefully.

Ibori warned against attempts to create violence or instability in the state, saying democracy should be about presenting programmes and policies to voters rather than causing trouble.

“Please, in the name of God, don’t come to Delta State to cause trouble. This is democracy. Tell the people what you will do and sell your programmes to them,” Ibori said.

He expressed confidence in Okowa’s re-election bid and urged Deltans to allow the governor, who hails from the Anioma area of the state, to complete a second term in office.

Ibori also advised PDP supporters to remain peaceful throughout the campaign and election period while persuading voters through the party’s policies and achievements.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Okowa Campaign Council and former Commissioner for Works, Solomon Funkekeme, thanked PDP members and supporters for attending the campaign flag-off in large numbers.

Funkekeme said the gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Okowa administration and appealed to Deltans to vote for the governor and other PDP candidates in the 2019 general elections.

“Our governor has done well, and we are appealing to Deltans to vote for all the candidates of the PDP,” he said.