FIRST, the site was the old Effurun Motor Park. It was very popular serving travellers from Warri, Agbarho, Ughelli, Ozoro, Oleh, Lagos, Ibadan and a few from the North and the South East. But unfortunately, it became subsumed by its own popularity as its handlers in the name of agboro rivalry made it a theatre of constant war of attrition.

Their internal conflict grew to be too regular, fierce and became a source of societal disquiet and bitterness.
No government anywhere in the world would be comfortable with a known root of trouble and let it be. So the then Delta State government of Chief James Ibori did what it was supposed to do.

First, acquired it, then closed down the Effurun Motor Park, then acquired a parcel of land in the outskirt of town along Effurun/Sapele Expressway and started the construction of the new Effurun Motor Park. It was a philosophy that worked. The new park is far from the city, not too popular and therefore took away the old politics of rivalry amongst the touts. Thus, peace returned to that old section of the town.

Meanwhile, the old site remained fenced off from public view. For a few years the place remained so and that non-action gave room to the rumour mill. Some said Chief Ibori had bought it over for the construction of a hotel; others speculated it would be a new housing complex.

There were those who even said it was being converted into a shopping arena. But unfortunately before the Ibori government wound up, nothing tangible was done other than the sealing off.

When the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan-led government came up on May 29, 2007, feeler must have reached him that Effurun indigenes wanted a definite decision on the fate of the old motor park site. Naturally patience and time were asked for.

And when the Delta State government concluded on what to do with the site, it was unique and ground-breaking. Then came again another round of rumour over what was going on there. The constructions were not too gigantic but averagely sized stylish building.

However, it was not until very lately, to be precise mid-last year, when the sign board appeared and quite appropriately the People’s Court appeared as the new name. And even after this nobody knew what was going on inside until games apparatuses and other play features were sighted above the fence from the outside as far away as from the roundabout itself.

It was then, according to a local residents, that the people’s awareness changed along the line of public entertainment to unwind tension”.

Since then the people have been conscientized towards this revolutionary idea of relaxation. The construction is ideal for both the young and the old. The dummy was sold to the Delta State government by the company of Bramex Development Ltd. which equally undertook the construction at the cost of N76.4 million.

It is the first of its kind in the state and well sited at the Effurun Roundabout. This makes it convenient for those coming from the outside like Ughelli, Sapele Ozoro, Abraka, Eku, Kwale, etc.

It is suitable for school children on excursion. The inside is well-fitted with playing ground equipment for children. Though there are experts as guides within but children are not allowed to come in except with their parents, guardians or teachers.

A euphoric enthusiasm led a visitor to say that “this government has imported Europe to Delta State”. That conclusion cannot or may not be criticized in view of the sophisticated play items inside, many type most of the kids had only seen in the television and magazines.

At the gate, it is expressly posted: “Don’t bring in food, water, minerals, et al”. And one wonders why this in a tropical setting until one goes inside to the kitchenette. The furnishing of the eatery, the neatness and the quality of the food are superlative. It is a feeling only comparable to the environment at the Turf, Oria-Abraka another innovation private initiative golf resort centre.

While the taste of the pavilion and kitchenette hold more hope for the people, is the wisdom of the Delta State government in the whole arrangement. After the state government bought the idea and gave the order for its construction, it also had another thought about it to skip official bottleneck.

It built and rented it out to a handler. With this arrangement, there is no government interest in the day to day running of the place as long as the company keeps to the terms of hire.

According to a worker at the People’s Court: “It is a resort every school in the state wants to visit, especially the private schools”. It will not be too much to advise the state government to extend this leisure to the other senatorial districts of the state.

People desire leisure spots and government’s controlled involvement in this new direction besides being a good policy has succeeded in turning a once troubled spot into a pleasure area.

Mr.  Idama , a public affairs commentator, writes from Delta State.