BY LUCKY OJi

Ambassador Godwin Okporoko, is the founder and President of Goodwill Professionals and Care Foundation, a non governmental organization, based in Abuja. He is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Vice President of Urhobo Youth Leaders Association in Delta State. In this interview with Sunday Vanguard, he explains why the Urhobo voted for Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa  at the just concluded governorship election and the performance of outgoing  Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

How would you assess the performance of the outgoing governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan?

To the best of my knowledge, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, has done so much for the state and even the people of Delta can testify to that.

Evidently, since 2007, when Governor Uduaghan assumed office, the state has witnessed tremendous human and infrastructural developments.   The people of Delta have continued to enjoy sustainable peace and security provided by the outgoing administration of Uduaghan.

Uduaghan has constructed bridges,  which include the Asaba flyover, Effurun flyover, Omadino  and Abigborodo bridges, among others. The Asaba airport is also a major achievement of the Uduaghan’s administration. Several roads were constructed across the state, for instance, in Warri axis, you have the Refinery, Deco-Okumagba and Okere roads, Others are the Udu and airport roads being rehabilitated, just to mention a few. Several schools were also built and renovated by the governor, hospitals were built. The governor initiated laudable policies and programmes to provide effective and free healthcare delivery to the people of Delta State.

The governor also ensured that scholarships were given to deserving students of Delta State extraction, small business owners and youths were encouraged and empowered through the State Micro-Credit programme, which I was a beneficiary.

I was appointed a member of Delta State Waterways Security Committee by Governor Uduaghan, and I served faithfully. It beats my imagination that the same people that were actually helped by the governor are the ones castigating him. Uduaghan was able to achieve all he did for Deltans because of the foundation laid for him by former governor, James Ibori before he left office in 2007.  In summary, Uduaghan has done very well for Deltans.

Could you explain why majority of Urhobo people voted for Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, at last governorship election in Delta state, despite having two of their sons, Chief Great Ogboru and Chief Otega Emerhor as contestants?

It was expected. The Urhobo people voted for Okowa because he was the candidate of all Deltans irrespective of their political parties. As a former council chairman, commissioner,  Secretary to State Government, SSG and a senator, he is more qualified and has the grassroots supports which paved way for him.

Urhobo people believed in him, and they are also convinced that Okowa’s administration will enhance their fortunes and indeed, those of Deltans.

He has the experience, very focused and determined to build on the foundation laid by Ibori and Uduaghan. I want to advise Ogboru and Emerhor to work with Okowa to move the state forward. The time and resources for litigation should be directed towards the growth and development of the state.

As a grassroots politician, who has been in PDP since 1999, what is your advice to Okowa as he assumes office on May 29?

Sincerely, I think Okowa must beware of sycophants. He is much familiar with the common challenges confronting the people of Delta State, which include unemployment and youth restiveness, though the outgoing governor, Uduaghan had made some efforts to tackle the situation. I expect Okowa’s administration to give priority to creating employment for the youths and consider reviving government-owned ailing industries. He should as well build new industries to generate income for the state and provide more employment for the people.

Very importantly, the incoming governor, Okowa, should appoint persons with experience, who are willing to serve the people of Delta and not those whose interest is to enrich themselves with the resources of the state.

Those who have made money from the state, they know themselves, they should use the money to build industries, do something meaningful to contribute to the growth of the society. They should also allow others who want to serve faithfully to be appointed into positions.

As a youth leader in the state, do you think Okowa can tackle unemployment and youths restiveness in the state?

Yes, I am very sure that Okowa would deliver. Like I said before, he is aware of the common problems affecting the people. The agricultural sector no doubt will create massive employments for the youths.  Let us remove our attention from oil; the Okowa government should focus on manufacturing and production. It will boost the revenue-base of the state and create jobs for the unemployed in the society.

I want to also appeal to all Deltans to embrace the God-given opportunity of Okowa’s government to transform the state. We should give Okowa our total support to enable him serve us diligently.

I want to use this medium to thank the Urhobo people for supporting Okowa, who is from Delta North because after Okowa, the governorship position is coming to the Urhobo.