By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A group under the auspices of Delta Youth Assembly (DYA) Thursday, said that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori will be remembered for his giant strides in education especially with the establishments of three polytechnics in the three senatorial districts while former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will be remembered for his transformation in the transportation sector.
The group said that Governor Okowa killed both sectors on assumption of office.
They said Governor Okowa also sold 60% share of the Delta Line Transport Company and suspended scholarships in the State in addition to the crisis which rocked and almost crippled academic activities in the three polytechnic last year.
The group said,”Out of the 3 Okowa has done even lesser for the State.”
Publicity Secretary of the group,Comrade Ezekiel Enejeta made the assertion in an a chat with newsmen in Warri on Thursdaay.
The group called on youths to reject Delta State Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa second term bid in Office as the 2019 elections draws near.
The group said,”2019 election is less than one year, considering his below average performance it is in the best interest of Delta youths to reject his 2nd term bid.”
“We have more “smart” hands in the state with clear vision of meaningful development. Okowa belongs to the old order based on zoning and tribal sentiments, Delta state has gone beyond that and the youths are now ready to play active part in leadership of the State.
The group stated that the governor has performed below average in terms of salary payments as well as his inability to pay rental for three ministries which led to landlord sealing it off with workers stranded.
The group noted that the governor merely gives money and starter packs to some youths empowered after its skills acquisition program.
The group stressed,”As I have observed most of them(youths) are out of business.”
“Money does not equate empowerment as can be seen from the participants I have come across, he should have invested more in human capital development with real training and a sustainable starter packs, not giving them less than 500k and expect them to create jobs.”
The group also lambasted Governor Okowa saying,”When he came in, street lights in Warri and Asaba was functional, but since Okowa came in, our streets are now engulfed in darkness. I want to ask if darkness in our streets is a “smart” idea.”
The group stated that Governor Okowa’s administration has an unspoken agenda of cutting cost.
According to the group,”This can be seen in the governor suspending state sponsored scholarships.
“He has also sold some shares in Delta line, a move which is motivated by cutting cost, but what has the state benefited from the funds saved?” the group inquired.
This is coming as the governor goes about commissioning projects accross the State.
The group further said that the commissioning of projects by Governor Okowa on the face value appears as though he is a working governor.
The group stressed that,”Most of the projects commissioned are 15kilometer roads and mostly patching of potholes.”
“Earlier this year, he commissioned Asaba stadium and we all know the stadium is still under construction.”
“Take a good look at our airport, he have not been able to finish the project and all we keep reading on pages of newspaper is “will soon be completed”, to me that would be one project worthy of commissioning but that’s not happening anytime soon”.
