The Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC today, issued a month ultimatum to the Delta State Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to repair the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge project.
FHRACC National President, Alaowei Ebikonbowei Cleric, Esq gave the ultimatum in a statement he signed and made available to Daily Post.
FHRACC also threatened to mobilize the riverine communities in a protest against the Delta State Government.
“We are giving the Governor within one month to address the issue of the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge, otherwise, we shall mobilise the riverine communities to protest against the Government. This is our lives and shall take our destinies in our hands if the Government refuse to give us the means of life.”
FHRACC noted that the ultimatum became imperative after the governor failed to heed to series of appeals by well meaning individuals and institutions going by his disposition to the people of Ayakoromo community.
“The continuing conspiracy of silence being observed by the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa is an indication that he has abandoned the Ayakoromo bridge project. With the series of appeal by well meaning individuals and institutions to the Governor to complete the Project coupled with his resultantly lukewarm disposition of the pleas, we have come to the irrebuttable conclusion that the Government has abandoned the Project. The Governor has no justification in abandoning such important project except he is punishing his people for entrusting him with their votes.”
FHRACCC reminded the governor that he is doing a great “disservice” to the people who voted him into office for abandoning the project.
It noted that the abandoned bridge project, when completed, will benefit the people of Burutu in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, pointing out that,”The riverine communities of Ayakoromo, Bubougbene, Newtown, Egolegbene, Akparemogbene, Eseimogbene, Ekametagbene, Oyangbene, Gbekebor, Obotebe, Okrika, Frukama, Ezebiri, Ogodobiri, Okoloba, Okoboama, Akugbene, Ogbeinma, Esanma, Enekorogha, Igbo-Ede, Okwagbe and several others will be victimised by the Governor’s act of political attrition.”
“If these communities are not good enough to benefit from Okowa’s Government then they may also withdraw their support for the Government.”
FHRACC recalled that Okowa also used the Project to campaign for his election in 2015, wondering why he is foot-dragging in completing the Project.
The bridge project was awarded by the Uduaghan-administration with the sum of N6,530,223,262.50. The last administration, before leaving office, had already paid a total sum of N3,098,000,000.00 leaving a balance of N3,432,223,262.50. Three billion naira is the amount left for Okowa to complete the project.
“If the Governor felt these communities did not deserved to benefit from his Government then he should not also expect their support any further. At least 2019 is going to be another deciding year for Nigerians and the riverine communities will be glad to know who their enemy is.”
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