Hon. Okonta who stated this while declaring his
intention to-contest the House of Assembly for Ika South Constituency come
2011, at an enlarged meeting of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at Agbor, said
one-man one vote will give the people the opportunity to close candidates that
will give them effective representation.
He said his experience as a member of the House was
an asset to the local government, as going back would give him the leverage to
give effective representation to the people of Ika South local government area,
which he said deserve more than he gave before.
Hon. Okonta noted that while in the House, he worked
hard to ensure that the people of Ika South received the dividends of democracy
from the state government stating that evidence abound in the number of
graduates employed from the local government area, numerous projects completed
and ongoing ones, which according to him include the modern Abavo market, 5km
of road already completed at Above, Health care centers and the ongoing
dualization of the Old Lagos Asaba Road.
He noted that he was committed to the development of
the entire Ika South and urged the people to ensure that they register in the
upcoming voters registration exercise, so they can vote for the candidate of
their choice, who will effectively represent their interest at the state
level.
The ex-speaker while commending the Ika South PDP
Chairman and his executive for holding the party well, however stated that it
was not easy meeting the demands of the people, which he stressed was
increasing by the day.
Hon Okonta who disclosed that he was able to
facilitate the employment of 151 Agbor indigenes and 75 Abavo indigenes into
the state teaching service, however admitted that his performance was hampered
by the litigations he had in court, challenging his election, as member of the
State House of Assembly. He told the
gathering that he spent well over 80,000,000 (Eighty million naira) in
procuring the services of lawyers to prosecute the case. He said all amount of
money would have been channeled into the development of Ika South.
“I ensured that our people got employment. I also
attracted infrastructure development which include road construction. We
equally distributed transformers to various communities in the LGA. I have no
reason to bother about the forth coming election because I know I did well for
my people. I am really prepared for the election” he told the large gathering
of party faithfuls, adding at the same time that he knew only a few persons
benefitted from him.
Hon Okonta who noted that it was a privilege for Ika
South to have had a Speaker, said he will remain committed to the development
of the LGA and the aspiration of the people, even as he advised the people
against violence, saying that “politics should not been seen as a do or die
affair”.
On his impression about the turn-out, he expressed
his satisfaction over what he described as a good outing “you have seen for
yourselves the mammoth crowd of supporters that turned up. That goes to show
that all the blackmail from my enemies are indeed lies?
Speaking earlier, the party chairman, Hon. Isaac
Ulebor tasked aspirants to start their campaigns from their wards, as according
to him “It is important that you sought the blessing of your ward chairmen
before coming to the local government level, to make any declaration”
Hon Ulebor warned that those attending meetings
outside the PDP would not receive his support , threatening that if care was
not taken, the party will use the big stick on recalcitrant members.
He charged the party faithfuls on registration,
saying that it is a platform for the party’s success at the polls and the
necessary tool for them to elect candidates of their choice.
Leave a Reply