Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has inaugurated a Faculty Building and Lecture Halls at the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of the state, and a Model Secondary School in Ogulagha town, Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu council area of the state, on Friday, October 4, 2024.
According to Oborevwori in his brief speech at the inauguration, assured the people of the riverine areas and the state at large that his administration will ensure development to all parts of the state.
The governor also thanked the people in the riverine areas for maintaining peace which he said is needed to breed the needed atmosphere that will attract Infrastructural development.
While inaugurating the project at Okerenkoko, the governor described the maritime institution as one of a kind and that it will open up development’ in the riverine community and the kingdom at large.
“It has strong potentials for urbanisation, while providing employment and retail business opportunities in the host community and environs,” the governor said, and added, “The Lecture Hall we are commissioning today is a good example of what can happen when there is cooperation between the federal and state governments.
“So, I am proud that we can deploy our resources to build this lecture Hall even though it is a federal institution. This is consistent with our promise to provide meaningful development, which is the first pillar of the MORE agenda.
“As I have always said, peace is a prerequisite for meaningful development and I hope that going forward, the peace we are currently enjoying will be sustained so that the community can reap the full benefits of having a university of this nature,” Oborevwori added.
The governor further gave immediate approval for the construction of a road to the university’s permanent site, stating that riverine communities were very dear to his administration hence he created the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructural Development.
At Ogulagha, the Model Secondary School project, which was built by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, the governor said the project will afford more of the children the opportunity for education just as he praised the commission for staying the course.
“I applaud DESOPADEC for staying the course. The successful completion of this school is a proof that DESOPADEC is fulfilling its mandate of improving the infrastructure and economic fortunes of the oil producing communities.
“It is a worthy addition to the growing number of Secondary schools in Delta State. Our people love education, and this school will ensure that some of the children in the riverine communities will not be denied the benefit of quality secondary education.
“Let me emphasise once again that this administration is committed to the development of every part of the state. As part of our vision for meaningful development, the Executive Council this week approved the rehabilitation / reconstruction of the 12.1 kilometre Odimodi-Okuntu-Ogulagha Road at a total cost of N5.2b. The contractor is expected to mobilise to site in the shortest possible time.
“The road is strategic to the economy of the communities around here, and when completed will eradicate the sufferings commuters are currently experiencing on the road. I assure all Deltans and residents in the state that the MORE agenda is on course,” Oborevwori added.
Meanwhile, In their welcome remarks, the DESOPADEC Chairman, Olorogun John Nani, said the completion and inauguration of the project was a clear demonstration of the fact that DESOPADEC was doing a lot for oil producing communities, while the member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi, commended Governor Oborevwori for demonstrating that riverine communities could be developed like their upland counterparts.
Also, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro traced the establishment and development of the Maritime University to the Niger Delta agitation and commended the state government for its several interventions in the University, while the NMU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Adigio, lauded the governor for lending a hand of intervention to the institution through the construction of a faculty complex in the university.
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