Okowa links Delta communities via historic bridge 29 years later

• Assembly lauds financial autonomy, admits COVID-19 challenge

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has completed a historic bridge linking the people of Ovwor-Olomu and Effurun-Otor communities in Ughelli South Local Council of Delta State after being abandoned for 29 years by successive administrations.

The 100-metre long and 20-metre span project was re-awarded to and delivered by Obakpor Engineering Construction Company Limited. The infrastructure is 45 metres high from water level and has a 300-metre asphalt road and drains on the entry and exit.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, commended the contractor for delivering the project in good time, adding that it was “a dream come true, and another milestone in achieving the Stronger Delta vision of the Okowa administration that opened up the economic landscape of both communities, as investors were now free to invest in the area without hindrances.”

According to him, “the successful completion of this project is one of the legacy projects of the Okowa administration and we are proud that it is one of the achievements of indigenous engineering in Nigeria.”

He added: “The bridge, which links both communities, was long abandoned by subsequent administrations since early 90s when it was first awarded by the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (now known as Niger Delta Development Commission). The completion of this bridge opens up both communities for investments, as you can see that economic activities have picked up tremendously.”

Conducting the commissioner round the bridge, Chairman of Obakpor Engineering Construction Limited, Chief John Oguma, expressed fulfillment to have delivered the structure, adding: “I call it a legacy project because my father is from Ovwor and my mother is from Effurun-Otor. This bridge, which was first awarded in 1991, was abandoned by previous administrations.”

“I must thank Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the political will he mustered to pull this project through. The people of both communities and their generations unborn will long remember him for this legacy project,” he added.

Augoye also inspected ongoing construction works in Warri and environs, lauding the contractors for the quality and urging them to honour the delivery dates. He was equally at Ayakoromo community to thank the people for their cooperation with the contractor handling a project in the settlement.

In the meantime, the State House of Assembly has applauded the financial autonomy for state legislatures even as it admitted the challenge posed by the coronavirus outbreak to the dexterity of the Seventh Assembly.

Marking one year of stability and lawmaking in the state post-2019 polls, the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, who fielded questions from reporters in Asaba, reassured the people that the lawmakers were obliged to choices that advance their rights and interests.

He debunked the rubber stamp toga on the chamber, stressing that the executive and legislative arms of government had to work together for even development of the state.