Ijaw Monarch Seeks Eternal Bond Between Okowa And Otuaro

• As Okowa Inaugurates Projects in the riverine 

Monarch of Gbaramatu Ijaw Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, weekend, prayed for eternal understanding between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, just as he appreciated them for projects inaugurated in riverine areas.

Accompanied in the projects inauguration by Deacon Otuaro who, fortnight ago, declared intention to become governor in 2023, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa described the Gbaramatu Monarch as “a symbol of peace”.

“Without peace, there can be no development. What we did, we were able to do because you provided the enabling environment for peace for contractors to do what they did. As a government, we are grateful”, Okowa said at the Gbaramatu Monarch’s palace at Oporoza.

Okowa thanked the Gbaramatu Monarch for his role in the reopening of Chevron’s oil platforms shut down for a whole year now” and prayed “that the prevailing peace between Ijaw and Itsekiri grows from strength to strength”.

The State Governor promised to construct a culvert to fully activate a completed  Kunukunuma road, adding: “On the request of the Monarch that the Oporoza-Azama-Inikorogha-Ubefan Road is dear to his heart, I’ll do my best. If I don’t finish it, I’ll at least start it”.

The Gbaramatu Monarch, going down memory lane personally noted: “We appreciate you for bringing development to this area. Since 1999, there have been governors but you Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is the SMART Governor that broke into our riverine communities with projects. Our presentation is as done by the Fiyewei (Spokesman) of the Kingdom. We pray  Almighty God to bless and guide you, for all you have done in Delta State”.

Earlier, the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, in the authority of the Kingdom admitted: “We’ve never had it so good”.

Gbenekama listed the state government’s interventions to include roads in Kunukunuma, Okerenkoko, Kurutie, Oporoza, Burutu, Hostels in Kokodiagbene, issues in Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko. He prayed the Governor to construct the  Oporoza-Azama-Inikorogha-Ubefan road as a parting gift to the Gbaramatu Monarch, appealing that same “was dear to the heart of our King”.

The Fiyewei, while assuring peace in the area, nevertheless tasked Governor Okowa to prevail on the contractor handling the ongoing dredging of the Escravos bar to “visit our (Gbaramatu) King and  create employment slots for Gbaramatu indigenes in the Escravos”.

“We thank you, Your Excellency, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for everything, including the peace between you and our son, the Deputy Governor, Deacon Otuaro. We pray that this understanding between you and your Deputy Governor should continue forever”, Gbenekama said.