By Christiana Ekpa
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has revealed that, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has not let the people or his government down in his representation at the National Assembly.
Okowa who disclosed this at the presentation of empowerment items for
A total of 350 constituents from the various wards in Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency empowered by the lawmaker, said he has watched the Minority leader display a high level of representation and commitment on the floor of the House, defending his people and Nigerians.
The empowerment items include 111 electricity generating sets, 90 deep freezers, 148 motorcycles and 107 tricycles.
Okowa lauded Elumelu for playing his part in uplifting the economic standard of his constituents, saying that it would help lift the people out of the poverty bracket, and encourage other representatives and well meaning Deltans to emulate Elumelu.
According to Okowa, “Ndudi has constantly remained in touch with the Delta State Government. He has stayed in touch with me by discussing issues that concern Nigeria and the People’s Democratic Party”.
Speaking on the recent ban on open grazing, Okowa commended the Southern Governors for putting the interest of the nation above political affiliations, tribalism, religious inclinations and selfish interest.
Okowa thanked members of the National Assembly for replying to their colleagues appropriately over their unguided statement on the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
He added that the time was ripe for leaders and stakeholders from all parts of the country to endorse the communique issued by the Southern Governors as a road map for rebuilding a new Nigeria where all interest groups would be treated equally in the “Nigerian project”.
According to him, every elected representative has the right to speak up for the people and we, as governors, spoke because things were going on in the country contrary to expectations.
On who to succeed him in the state in 2023, the governor sued for calm, and cautioned politicians against heating up the polity.
According to him, the collective interest of the people should be placed above self, irrespective of ambitions.
He added that his administration had been fair in the implementation of policies and programmes across the state, and advocated for a governor that would carry everyone along in the scheme of things.
“We are politicians and politics will have to be played. I can see that a lot has been on in our dear state, especially the scramble on who will replace Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa come 2023.
“Unfortunately, some were not even patient. They started their campaigns in the first three months of my second term in office.
“I want to charge our leaders and people to be cautious because politics is such that if you don’t read it rightly, you will directly throw your people into fire.
“I am not all-knowing, but at the appropriate time, leaders must be ready to sit down for us to do a proper analysis politically, before we take decisions so that we will not lead our people into darkness.
“I want to caution our leaders who are jumping the ship because of the very little thing that has been provided for them. It is not about self, it is going to be about the people.
“I am the governor of the state and I appreciate it. I believe in equity and will not shy away from the fact that I am from Delta North Senatorial District,” he said.
“By the grace of God, in our approach to governance, we have been fair in what we do. Shine your eyes so that people will not come to lure you with N500,000 and N1,000,000 and you sell the conscience of your people and you lure them into fire.
“I believe in equity; It has shown that we are not inferior in Delta North. Please let us stay cautious, especially, the leaders.
“Who ever is coming to rule this state, by the grace of God, must be somebody who is ready to ensure that there is fairness, equity and justice.
“We want somebody who will come to Asaba and see Asaba as his home and not somebody who will come and feel that Asaba as headquarters is misplaced.
“So, I urge our people that this is the time to stay together; this is the time to think alike and I want to reassure you that in the next one month, we will start the politics,” Okowa added
While addressing the beneficiaries and other guests, Elumelu said that the items would assist them engage in some form of independent, lucrative enterprise.
He noted the idea was to make the beneficiaries small business owners who would eventually help in creating jobs and reducing poverty in their immediate communities.
“I urge the beneficiaries to be passionate in putting these items into proper use and to see this as an opportunity to climb to an enviable level of prosperity which is before you today.
“Though, it appears insignificant, it is my expectation that from this small beginning, with determination, focus and fear of God, you will be able to record amazing testimonies, not only as employers of labour in our communities but also providers of essential social services to meet some of the existential needs of our people,” he said.
He commended the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his administration’s sustained efforts in reducing poverty through various empowerment programmes.
“Your passionate effort has brought, in no small measure, prosperity to a very good number of our youths and people in Delta State.
“We will continue to join and support Your Excellency, in bringing joy, peace and progress to our people, even as I restate my resolve, never to allow what is due our people elude them so long as I remain their representative in the House of Representatives.”
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