GOVERNOR Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Tuesday, February 13, said his administration would engage relevant Federal Government authorities towards the revitalisation of all seaports in the state.
Speaking when he received the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Atuwatse III, and his retinue of chiefs at Government House, Asaba, the governor said he was committed to engaging the Federal Government on the revitalisation of the ports in the state.
He stated: “The port is something that is key to the development of Delta. Even without coming here to make a request, I will start engaging with the people at the national to see how all the ports in the state will be rehabilitated.
“If the ports are rehabilitated, it will bring a lot of developments in the state. The issue of refinery, I know that as soon as they finish the maintenance, it will come back to operation.”
The added: “I appreciate you for the love you have shown this administration. You have been very supportive and I appreciate you for coming here today to congratulate me. As a royal father, you prayed for all of us (governorship candidates) and your prayer then was that God should give the state somebody that will move the state higher.
He said: “You blessed all of us, but I was chosen and that’s the reason you are here today with all your people. Your majesty, your leadership quality is something that we appreciate; you are a blessing to our generation.
“This administration places a high premium on the role of traditional rulers in governance, because the royal fathers are the bridge between the people at the grassroots and the government. Without the royal fathers, we can’t achieve peace in all our kingdoms. So, they are in charge of their kingdoms; that’s why we always go to them to seek their prayers and support.
“Anything that we are doing as a government that you are not pleased with, don’t fail to correct us. My government is open to constructive criticism. And if we are also doing very well, don’t fail to commend us. Constructive criticism is allowed everywhere in the world and Delta State would not be an exception. What we don’t like is blackmail.
“I have listened to your request; I promised during my inauguration that Warri will have a positive new face. I have gone round Warri and looked at some places with urgent attention, we are already working on that.
“We are already working on a befitting stadium for Warri. As we speak, they are doing the design of the stadium, because I don’t want a situation where we construct and after a few years, it will start having problems.
“We also have challenge with the drains in that area. As we speak, Phase 1 of the storm drainage has been completed by Levant, Phase 2 is about 90 per cent completed and the last, which is Phase 3, will soon be completed.
“Without the storm drainage, if you construct any road in Warri, it will be washed away. I want to assure you that Warri will have a positive new face in Jesus name.”
He thanked the Warri Kingdom and the Itsekiri nation for their support for his election, adding that no ethnic nationality would be marginalised in his administration.
Earlier, Atuwatse III said he led the delegation to congratulate Oborevwori on his victory at the Supreme Court, appealling to him to help site an institution of higher learning in his kingdom.
He said: “We want to express our appreciation for infrastructural developments in Warri axis. The roads, drainage, stadium, particularly the Ode-Itsekiri road and bridges, Ugborodo Phase 2 road, which links Ugbegungun to Otumara.
“While it is under the purview of the Federal Government, we request that you join our voice in encouraging it to speedily move in the direction of rehabilitating the ports in Delta State and refinery in Warri. Revitalising these ports would ease the plight of idleness and unemployment with our young able youths.”
A former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and top government functionaries from the Itsekiri nation joined Oborevwori in welcoming the delegation.
