*Condemns Asaba Procession Violence, Urges Peaceful Campaigns
THE Delta State Government will continue to intervene in the rehabilitation of critical federal roads within the state to ease transportation, boost commerce and improve the movement of agricultural produce.
The government said though roads do not directly put food on the people’s tables, good road infrastructure creates the conditions for increased agricultural production, improved trade and easier access to markets.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who stated this on a television programme late on Thursday, November 12, explained that roads establish important nexus between production centres and areas of consumption, making it easier for farmers to move their produce and for businesses to transport goods.
He acknowledged the infrastructure challenges facing the country, but said efforts were being made by both federal and state governments to address the situation.
He highlighted the collaboration between the Delta State and Federal Governments in facilitating access to the Second Niger Bridge, particularly the state’s assistance with compensation payments running into billions of naira for the construction of the connecting bypass.
Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had made it clear that Delta would not fold its arms while critical federal roads within its territory deteriorated, citing the state’s intervention along the Benin-Warri corridor in Effurun, where concrete pavement works had been undertaken, as well as the government’s swift response to a difficult section of the East-West Road.
On the recent political violence in Asaba, the commissioner rejected attempts to present the incident as an ordinary clash between political supporters, alleging that members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ignored the Police advice to shelve the road procession and secure an appropriate venue.
Aniagwu said video recordings of the incident showed some individuals allegedly urging others to attack and kill, expressing concern over the “rig and die” remarks of NDC Delta Central senatorial district and former deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege.
He, however, stressed that the government does support political intimidation or violence, irrespective of the political affiliations of those involved.
He reiterated the governor’s directive to security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure that everyone connected with the incident, including those who allegedly instigated or carried out the attack, was brought to justice.
On next year’s general elections, Aniagwu said Oborevwori and the Delta State APC Campaign Council had resolved to make issues, governance and the administration’s performance the central focus of their campaign.
He recalled that the governor had consistently urged his supporters to refrain from attacking opponents, but instead present his administration’s achievements to voters, believing that his government’s record across infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, public service reforms and social investment provides sufficient material for political engagement.
He disclosed that the state government was planning to empower 15,000 indigent small business owners, who are to be carefully screened, through its social investment programme.
Aniagwu defended the administration’s appeal to civil servants for political support, arguing that workers’ welfare should be assessed through concrete policies and actions, rather than isolated statements, citing promotions, attention to seniority in appointments, improved welfare provisions and other interventions as evidence of the administration’s commitment to public servants.
He described the governor’s appeal to workers to reciprocate the efforts as an expression of confidence that beneficiaries of good governance would appreciate the administration’s performance.
