Delta state, Nigeria is a state with the big heart i.e.
a generous and welcoming state. The slogan of the state says as much. It is
also the second largest oil producing state in Nigeria as attested by the
Governor, His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in a recent stakeholders meeting
of PDP Delta Central Senatorial District held in Warri. Hence by the existing
revenue derivation arrangement of the Nigerian government, where crude oil
producing states receive extra thirteen percent revenue derived from crude oil
sales, Delta state can be considered economically healthy within the Nigerian
context. Infact the erstwhile Finance minister of Nigeria, Dr Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala once described Delta state as richer than some African countries.
Besides crude oil, the state is equally blessed with other revenue sources
notably agriculture. It could also be described as the food basket of Nigeria.
The essence of the above paragraph is to show that
the state is financially healthy and endowed adequately to tackle developmental
challenges. For more on Delta state, readers are invited to visit the following link:
? ?
http://www.fmf.gov.ng/downloads/FAAC/CurrentFaacDetail/State_goverment_detail.pdf
The link above details the net statutory
allocation derived by Delta state in March 2009 from the federation account.
(This is the latest published figure as at the time of writing this article). Please
compare with other non-crude oil producing states.
The Governor
Uduaghan led government has embarked on some laudable projects especially when
compared to his predecessor, James Ibori. Some of the projects include the
on-going construction of Asaba International Airport, Ogheye Ultra Modern
Concrete Floating Market Project, Enerhen ? Udu road dualisation and the
construction of a gas processing plant in Oto-orogu to name a few. But more
needs to be done.
That more that
needs to be done is the seeming neglect of Agbor town, the headquarters of Ika
South Local Government Area and a principal town in Delta state in particular
and Nigeria in general. Agbor seems to have been forgotten by the Governor
Uduaghan administration in extending the dividends of democracy. Hence the
title of this article.
This article is
primarily an open invitation for Governor Uduaghan to visit Agbor and see
things for himself. For starters, the road network in Agbor is pathetic to say
the least as a ride on Obi Ikechukwu road, Old Lagos ? Asaba road and Charles
Street to name a few will attest.
Pipe-borne water
is non-existent with privately operated boreholes replacing government
responsibility for such a well-endowed state.
Health-care
delivery is pathetic but most worrisome considering that his Excellency is a
medical doctor. Patients are left at the mercy of private health-care
providers. This is fine by those who can afford it but what about the less
privileged. Pictured below is a side view of Delta State University Hospital,
Oghara in Delta Central Senatorial District. Nowhere in Ika land can boast of
such a government owned structure.
His Excellency, this
writer believes that the essence of good governance is taking care of the
citizenry across board. What is good for one should be good for all.
Education is
equally neglected in Agbor land as can be seen by the run-down structures that
pose as educational establishments; please visit Ika Grammar School and College
of Education, Agbor.
Your government
has been good in providing affordable housing to some parts of the state but
again Agbor seems forgotten in this regard. The good people of Agbor equally deserve
affordable housing.
The program of a
governor and especially the governor of a challenging state like Delta can be
quite hectic and more often than not, a governor may have to depend on the
advice of his lieutenants to move the state forward. Your government has a
considerable number of top lieutenants of Agbor and Ika extractions in well
placed positions to advice and guide you as to the needs of Agbor people in
particular and Ika people in general. It appears that they are not guiding you
properly. Thus, your Excellency, it will be appreciated if you can visit Agbor
and see these neglects yourself. I am not from Agbor but I recently visited
Agbor, witnessed these neglects first-hand and am using this expose to bring
them to your attention.
His Excellency,
Agbor town deserves your attention. Extending the ?Big Heart? ideology to the
town will be celestial.Odenigbo Chidi Anyaeche
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