Okowa tells FG to review last century’s roads

• Describes political office holders as servants
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on the Federal Government to re-assess all roads constructed over 20 years ago with a view to reconstructing failed ones.

He made the call yesterday while inspecting failed portions of the Warri-Benin highway being rehabilitated by the state government.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifejika, noted that many federal roads across the country were aging; hence the Federal Government should re-assess such roads and intervene promptly.

“If the Federal Government fails to act fast, I am afraid we are going to be overwhelmed one day by the magnitude of failed roads,” he stated.

Okowa, who was conducted round the failed portions of the road by the Commissioner for Works, Mr. James Augoye, said his administration was intervening on deplorable federal roads because they were critical infrastructure for socio-economic development.

His words, “We are very much aware that this is a federal road. We complained to the Federal Government, but they said it was not in the budget, and gave us the approval to intervene.

“This road and others are very important, especially to our people who are road-users.

“It was not passable before now, but you can see that within one week, the contractor handling the project has opened one side of the road.”

Governor Okowa explained that he would approach the House of Assembly for the funds through a supplementary budget, as the intervention was an emergency.

Meanwhile, he has urged political office holders to serve the people with their positions, as they remain accountable to the electorate.

He stated this yesterday at a thanksgiving service of the chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Michael Diden, who is also the General Overseer of Mega Praise Church of Christ International, Sapele.

At the thanksgiving, which was attended by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege; Delta Assembly Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori; National Assembly members and other top government functionaries, Okowa said that political and other positions were to be used to serve God through selfless service to the people.

“Any position in which we find ourselves is by the grace of God. If you have the privilege of holding a position, try to work for the people. Whatever you do, remember that there is God above who made your position possible.”