Just-ln: Edo ljaws Appreciates Gov. Okowa On Obaseki's Reelection, makes case for riverine communities development

Just-ln: Edo ljaws Appreciates Gov. Okowa On Obaseki's Reelection, makes case for riverine communities development

Francis Tayor

The ljaws of Edo State from the five kingdoms of Olodiama, Egbema, Gbaraun, Furupagha and Okomu has appreciated the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, over the role he played towards the reelection of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki for second term in office on the 19th September, 2020 Edo State Gubernatorial election.

The high powered delegation of the representatives from the various communities across the five ljaw kingdoms in the state was led by Comrade Daniel Pere Ezekiel, SSA to the Governor of Delta State on Security Matters, paid the thank you visit on Friday 14th May, 2021 at Governor's Office Annex Warri, Delta State. 

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Daniel Ezekiel, Hon. Aduwaye Kenneth and Gen. Godstime Ogidigba thanked Governor Okowa for the unprecedented support he rendered to the riverine ljaw communities in Edo State before, during and after the Edo 2020 gubernatorial election.

They extends the greetings from the Royal Highnesses and the good people from the five ljaw kingdoms in Edo State to Gov. Okowa, on his contributions in reclaiming Edo State back to PDP,  saying Edo belongs to PDP and it has come to stay. They further appealed to Gov. Okowa to help rub mind with his Edo Counterpart, Governor Obaseki so as to give adequate developmental attention to the riverine ljaw communities, as well as give appointment and employment to their sons in his second term administration. They decried that the Edo ljaws had suffered underdevelopment challenges over the years.

 " Now that the ljaws in Edo have delivered him, he should reciprocate them by developing the riverine communities, given appointments to their sons as well as empowerment of their people, they noted."

In his reaction, Governor Okowa, who was represented by the Director General (DG) Security Matters Delta State, Hon. David Tonwei thanked the Edo State ljaws for acknowledging Delta state government support during the Edo gubernatorial election, stressing that Gov. Okowa will liase with his Edo State counterpart to ensure riverine communities are protected from sea pirates and given adequate attention in terms of infrastructural development, employment as well as empowerment of the people. 

He assure them of Delta state government readiness to partner with  Edo State to provide workable security architecture in Edo State waterways in order to flush out criminal elements terrorising the riverine communities between Edo and Delta. He reiterated that riverine areas is very critical to government because almost 80% of the state revenue is generated from the rivers, hence the security of the waterways is very paramount to both states. Hon. Tonwei said if Edo waterways is secured and peaceful, Delta state will as well experience relative peace. He however, promise to present their demands to the Governor and try his possible best to ensure the Governor act on it, the statement adds.

However, climax of the meeting was the official presentation of the Letter of Appreciation to the Governor through the D.G. Security Matters Delta State, Hon. David Tonwei.