WHY OKOWA DESERVES A SECOND TERM, BY HESSINGTON OKOLO

In this times where sophistry has become elevated to state policy, lies have become national policy and deceitful conduct is the order of the day, one must be careful in choosing persons to such a vaunted elective office as that of the Governor of a state.

The office of the Governor needs somebody whose antecedents can be vouched for not someone whose only antecedents are at best shadowy.

In the lead up to any election cycle politicians are wont to make promises sometimes bogus promises which they have no intention of keeping. It therefore becomes imperative that Deltans must seek a man whose word is his bound and who will do much more that he promises and that’s the character Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi OKOWA has exhibited in these over 31/2 years he has held sway as the number one man in Delta State. Okowa is a man of few words but he is one who keeps to his words. He is integrity personified. He doesn’t have to shout about his integrity, it is evident in his action as Governor.

Most office seekers today would seek to bamboozle the electorate with unverified and unverifiable projects just to get their way but with Dr. Okowa, his minders have little to worry about if any in that regard as his commitment to good governance are evident in his projects that dot the entire Delta landscape.

Here is a man who promised prosperity for all Deltans as encapsulated in his SMART agenda, Deltans took a leap of faith with him and voted overwhelmingly for him to become a the Governor of Delta. In giving him their mandate in 2015, Deltans were mindful of his antecedents over the years especially since the return to democracy in 1999.

However, having assumed the mandate, Governor Okowa went about the business of governance with a single minded focus for success beyond the ordinary such that not even the recession hit economy could stop him.

Take for instance, the Asaba Airport which was conceptualised by administrations before him but which was a conduit pipe of the last adminstration. Dr. Okowa took the completion of the airport as a must, today, the Airport has become fully accredited with all necessary facilities needed put in place.

Because Dr. Okowa is firmly aware that it will be impossible to bring about prosperity to all Deltans through his SMART agenda without critical infrastructure like good road network, the Okowa administration has gone about building roads all over the state such that he has earned the titles “road master” and “bulldozer”!. Everywhere across the state, he has focused on linking communities through road infrastructure. Take for instance the massive, Asaba/Kwale/Ozoro/Ughelli road which two sections has been left abandoned, has received serious attention, work is ongoing on that road especially the Ozoro/Ughelli axis with the Asaba/Kwale sector approved recently. Take again the Beneku/Okpai road with the bridge across the Ase Creek. I have a personal interest in that road because as the Ndokwa youth leader, I had agitated that it is the height of injustice and provocation for a people who contribute to the sustenance of the Nigerian economy to be be so neglected. Recently , the Ndokwa East leaders paid him a visit and also brought his attention to that road and he promised them it will be done, and true to his words the road has been approved for construction with the bridge.

The roads are numerous. All over the three senatorial districts Okowa’s signature on roads can be seen and accessed. As an Okowa advocate I am confident enough on his imprimature on our roads to ask any doubting Thomas to come and I promise to take him/her on an acessment tour on my account.

The health sector has also received great attention from the Okowa Government. The contributory health scheme is a masterpiece policy aimed at giving Deltans cheap medicare. When fully implemented across board, Deltans will be happier for it.

In re-electing Okowa in 2019 Deltans will be encouraging hardwork and not mere ethnic sentiments. We would be telling those who daily threaten us with Federal might that we are masters of our fate! People whose stock in trade is to promise what they know they don’t have the managerial skill to achieve cannot be entrusted with the commonwealth of Delta State. Deltans don’t need Federal might to decide who they want, and we know who we want to return as Governor, and Dr. Okowa is the right choice.

Hessington Okolo is a lawyer, Deputy Legal Adviser to the Delta State PDP, equal rights campaigner, environmental rights activist, political commentator and the self styled Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Masses Assembly.