Obaseki wants upward review of 13 per cent derivation formula

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday intensified call for upward review of 13 per cent derivation formula, saying it had remained inadequate for development of the South-South.
Obaseki made the call while speaking with newsmen after inaugurating Effurun-Otor-Ovwor-Olomu bridge and the rehabilitated 34-km Otu-Jeremi-Okwagbe Road in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta, executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He said that the peculiarity of the environment in the South-South had made it quite expensive to develop infrastructure, especially roads, in the area.
The governor said that with the quality of projects being executed by Okowa across Delta, it was obvious that he would do more with enhanced funds.
He pointed out that the inaugurated bridge and road projects would enhance the economy of the communities and also connect them to other parts of the state.
He said that Governor Okowa had moved up from “road master” to “bridge master” and described him as a “brilliant leader who understands the importance of roads and other infrastructure in the economic development of communities”.
According to him, Okowa is a champion of modern day democracy and represents the ideals of great leadership, particularly with the quality of work he does with the derivation funds.
He said that Okowa was not only building physical bridges but also building social, economic and community bridges.
Obaseki pledged the sustenance of the age-long relationship between Delta and Edo, and assured that he would invite Okowa to inaugurate projects in Edo in no distant time.
“Governor Okowa is a brilliant leader who understands the importance of roads and infrastructure in the lives of the people and communities, and that is why he has continued to prioritise the construction of roads in Delta.
“The construction of this bridge and roads will lead to the development of the communities and I must commend the governor for connecting the Urhobos and Ijaws with the Okwagbe road,” he said.
In his remarks, Okowa said that the Effurun-Otor-Ovwor bridge was one of the major requests of the people when he visited the communities in 2015.
He said that the vision of his administration was to connect Delta communities with roads, bridges and other basic amenities, adding that his administration had awarded contracts for no fewer than 500 road projects, with many already completed.