How Governor Okowa Took The Sobriquet of “Road Master” To The Next Level as He Commissioned Ughievwen –Okwagbe Road and Ovwor –Effuruntor Bridge

By Wilson Macaulay.

His Excellency, Senator Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State accompanied by His Excellency, governor  Godwin  Obaseki of Edo State  as a Special  guest of honour precisely on Tuesday 15th March, 2021, commissioned the Ughievwen road stretching from Ekakpamre to Egbo-Ideh at Okwagbe and also officially declared opened the Ovwor-Effuruntor bridge for the use of the people of Ughelli South amidst pomp and pageantry.As expected, Okwagbe community the commercial nerve of Ughelli South,  the venue chosen to give a warm reception in  honour of  the two visiting governors was aggog as the people of Ughelli South came out in good number to welcome the Chief Executives of Edo and Delta Satte to Okwagbe community in particular and ughelli south in general.The occasion threw up a fresh window of opportunity for the political leaders in ughelli south and other critical stakeholders to have another fresh look at the success story of the score card of governor Okowa as encapsulated in the SMART   Agenda and the Stronger Delta Vision right from when he assumed office in the Dennis Osadebey House from 2015 till date.The summary of all those who spoke to the media in their various appraisals was what can be described as a catalogue of accolades that was poured on the pragmatic governor of Delta State as he commissioned the Ughievwen Okwagbe road and the Ovwor-Effuruntor bridge.Significantly, the commentaries concurred that indeed governor Okowa has taken the sobriquet of “Road Master” to the next level.The leadership of the political class in Ughelli South asserted  in ther various speeches that they have more confidence in governor Okowas sagascity to deliver more dividends of democracy  because he has demonstrated times and again that he is indeed a promise keeper. Olorogun Okiemute Oviri Okwagbe JP a Senior governor Aide, an illustrious son of Okeagbe community who kicked the ball rolling said; “Governor  Okowa, my principal  has made our dreams come true, he is a trail blazer, a man whom God brought to lead the state on the path of true greatness.Continuing, Olorogun Oviri Okwagbe added; we cannot thank him enough for the ughievwen Okwagbe road and the Ovwor-Effuruntor bridge which are essential infrastructure for the people of Ughelli South.Speaking further, Olorogun Oviri Okwagbe noted “In my modest estimation, Gov. Okowa has done very well to outclass his predecessors in the provision of roads and the enlargement of the pool of political appointees which is direct human capital development with a profound positive multiplier effect on the  economy of Delta Sate”.According to Olorogun Oviri Okwagbe, the people of Ughelli South, Ughievwen Kingdom and Okwagbe Community in particular will forever remain grateful to Governor  Okowa because he is a detribalized leader who is ordering the economic and political step of the state in the path of honor guided by the philosophy of fiscal discipline.Continuing he added:  “The commissioning of the Ughievwen Okwagbe roads and the Ovwor  Effuruntor  bridge have raised the  confidence of the people of Ughelli South to that of a more deep seated hope in the PDP as the only party that can deliver Nigeria from the clueless APC led President Buhari administration.Still Speaking, on the success story of Governor Okowa Olorogun Oviri Okwagbe  posited  thus; “Governor  Okowa is an astute administrator  per excellent who has done so much in an era when the FG is slipping in and out of recession but Governor Okowa is able to use the instrument of his good office to execute projects that are very dear to the heart of Deltans, he is also able through his managerial ingenuity to put Delta state on the path of steady growth and development. I am proud to be part of the success story of governor Okowa”.Olorogun Oviri Okwagbe in his appreciation speech to the Governor, hinted that: “Governor Okowa is a man who covet the values of character and good name, guided by this philosophy, he is always willing to provide infrastructure and social services to all deltans as encapsulated in the Stronger of Delta Vision”.Chief Okwagbe the Senior governor Aide added: “Governor Okowa has been described correctly as a purveyor of the dividends of democracy. However, I would like to add that he is an epitome of good governance, a man with a policy thrust designed to change the narrative of Deltans by making the state the China of Africa”.Hon. Sunday Kotor the SSA to Governor Okowa  on publicity another illustrious son of okwagbe community who followed with a supportive speech from the earlier speaker, remarked: “ The Okowa legacy is without parallel in the history of Delta State. He has made himself clear in words and actions that all the accolades poured on him are gotten on the anvil of meritorious service to humanity,  the Delta State Government  and the good people of Delta State”.Hon.  Sunday Kotor who further described the governor as a divine providence from God advised the people of Ughelli South to always remain  loyal to the PDP because the party has done so much for Ughelli South particularly the Okwagbe community, adding that they need to remember that to whom much is given much will be required.Giving more vivid examples to substantiate his view concerning the good works of Governor Okowa, Hon. Sunday Kotor stated: “Governor Okowa in many instances has demonstrated with valid and verifiable facts that he is a man with the hallmark for the industrialization of Delta state. Going by the number of projects such as the Telecoms  mast manufacturing company at Isele-Uku, the Industrial Park at kwale, the Gas Plant at Amai, and other projects lined up for execution before the end of 2023 are evidences  to show that governor Okowa is committed to the Stronger Delta vision”. While emphasizing the need to support the PDP in 2023, Hon. Sunday kotor said: “I enjoin the Ughelli south people not to derail , the Umbrella is big enough to shade us from the scorching  sun of recession that we are hearing of from the  Federal Government”.He added: “ The disparity between the Goodluck Jonathan Government and the Buhari Administration is enough evidence for Nigerians to realize that only the PDP can take Nigeria out of the wood, hence I am advising my good people of Ughelli south to keep having faith in the PDP”.Hon. Japhet  Efeakpokrire, the PG of Okwagbe Progressive Union who also aired his voice on the glowing appraisal of the Okowa Administration said :`”Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa has made me to believe more in Government , just because he is a promise keeper. When he came to campaign he promised to tar the Okwagbe road, I am happy he has redeemed the pledge, beside that, he also gave appointment to our illustrious sons and daughters, for me he has done so much, the leadership of Okwagbe community is indeed grateful to governor Okowa”.The Okwagbe Progressive  PG pointed out saying: “Governor Okowa is a leading  light who came with a template of development that meet the needs of the generality of  Deltans, hence he is called in  political circle as a governance reform advocate”.Hon. Efeakpokrire  while drawing an analogy stated: “We did not have it so good in previous governments, Governor Okowa  has blossomed our land, once again I pledge the loyalty of our people to the PDP, which has done so much for us”.The Okwagbe community PG explained that with the road project completed governor Okowa has written his name in gold in the annals of our history, and we have already honoured him in the community hall of fame.HRM Dr. King Johnson Duku 11 JP,  The Orovworere  of  Effuruntor  Kingdom while expressing his gratitude to governor Okowa said: “ From today because of what our governor has done , I have given him the title of Bridge Master”.Continuing he said: “ This our bridge was started OMPADEC from them to NDDC but graciously governor  Okowa came to our aid to  wipe the tears from our eyes by completing the Ovwor –Effuruntor Bridge”.The Effuruntor Monarch not yet done in his positive appraisal of  the governor  he said: “Governor Okowa is a governor who talk and do exactly what he says, we are lucky to have him as our governor at this point in time”.Hon. Patrick Yakpormene, the Chairman of Okwagbe Inland, and Comrade Turu Oyibo, the Chairman of Okwagbe Water Side in their separate good will massages to the governor said: “ Okowa is our political savior, we will forever remain grateful to him because he has done what precious government could not do in the community.