To Governor Okowa on his first anniversary

Sir: Your first visible achievement to my mind is the absence of any credible cry of marginalization by any section of the State. In a multi-ethnic State like Delta, your ability to carry everyone along is commendable. Your predecessor was perceived as selfish, unforgiving and ‘almost’ wicked. You seem to have brought a breath of fresh air to governance in the State. Many thanks for this development.

I am not a politician but being a grassroots development worker and clergyman, I can say that the politicians are not complaining, unlike the last time when even Commissioners complained. With all the façade about financial prudence, the State recorded about N700b debt at the end of that government. This debt profile that you made public endeared you to most Deltans. Many of us expect that you will continue in this path of openness in running the affairs of our State. However, one issue that most Deltans are worried about is the ‘huge’ wage bill of over seven billion naira per month. We expect you to stop this ‘fantastic’ corruption. Do not let the several staff verification exercises that you have carried out go the way of your predecessors.

Your Excellency, if you join any bus or Keke in the State, there are two complains that the people make about your government. The first is that your political appointees are too many. Permit me Sir, to suggest that you put a hold on further appointments and look at the possibility of reducing the present pack. The second has to do with the pot-hole ridden roads across the State. I know that your government has made some efforts in this regard, but Your Excellency, what has been done is too small compared to the need. And Deltans will not accept the story of scarcity of funds as the political expenditures of your government does not reflect this so-called economic depression. The State Direct Labour Agency should be empowered and monitored to deliver. Rainy season or no rainy season!

From Warri-Sapele expressway, a new road was being developed to link Omadino community in the twilight of the last administration. That is a good project to complete, as it will solve the daily suffering at the bottleneck around the Warri Refinery. Also, to resolve the age-long Enerhen junction gridlock, a bridge connecting Enerehen with Opete community is the solution. There are many such examples across the State. People remember Ogbemudia for the Udu bridge (among others), Ibori for the Bomadi and Okpare bridges (among others) and you will be remembered for the Enerhen/Opete bridge and similar such projects. Your Excellency, not many people will remember micro-credits in eight years’ time. My prayer is that people will not be disappointed at the end of your tenure.

*Rev Francis Waive,
Warri, Delta State.