By Austin Ogwuda
Asaba—DELTA State Government, has washed its hands of the murder of the gubernatorial candidate of the Citizens Popular Party, CPP, in the last general election, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, warning those making ‘’malicious and unfounded allegations,’’ to desist from maligning the   government henceforth.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, who reacted to media reports on the matter said: “This (accusation) is really coming as a great surprise to all of us because it really tells you the level of depravity in the kind of politics we play in Delta State.’’

Ogeah said: ‘’It is absurd to think that government directed the police to kill one of its citizens when it is the duty of such government to protect life and property of the people.

’’Sometimes, I get very sad. How could something about a situation between the Nigeria Police and a citizen of Nigeria which led to what I can call an unlawful killing, at this point in time until investigations are concluded, be attributed to the government.

’’The late Onokpite was a citizen of Delta State and the government has the constitutional right to protect the citizens.

“How could anybody in his/ her right mind now turn round and accuse the state government of killing him, just because we are in different political parties?

’’The police which he reportedly had problems with are not under the control of the state government.

‘’We thank God that we do not have state police because the minute we have state police in Nigeria that would just be an invitation for chaos.

’’Even with this kind of situation, we now know how people’s minds are working. We are at a loss. The government condemns any form of unlawful killing whether from opposition or people in government.”

Former labour leader and chieftain of  Democratic Peoples Party, DPP in the State, Chief Frank Kokori, had told reporters in Warri that Onokpite’s killing was “politically-motivated because he was a gubernatorial candidate of CPP on two occasions.’’

….As Uduaghan assures Asaba residents on drainage construction
Asaba— Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta on Wednesday assured residents that the government would complete the construction of drains on roads in Asaba before the next rainy season.

The governor, who was on an inspection tour of projects in the town, assured that Asaba would not suffer flooding and erosion again as was the case during the year.

“With the pace at which the project is being executed, the flood and erosion that ravaged some areas in Asaba will not be witnessed in the next rainy season.

“The present project will check erosion and completely direct flooding toward Anwai River,” he said.

The governor urged the contractor to accelerate work on the project so that the target and purpose would be realised.

He said that in spite of criticisms on the project, he was optimistic that the contractor would do a good job, adding that the rains posed a challenge to the contractor.

He said: “It is now clear that the contractor is serious because the job is moving fast and I am satisfied with what I am seeing.”

The site engineer, Mr. Peter Kari, said the job involved the construction of a manhole to channel flood water to Anwai River through Inter-Bau roundabout, in addition to the construction of walkways on both sides of the road.