By Onome Oghenetega
The convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has written an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State over N78 billion contract recently awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the construction of three flyover bridges, cloverleaf and road expansion in Effurun and Warri area of the state.
Clark, a former Minister of Information, described Oborevwori’s decision to undertake the mega projects as a right step towards fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises to the residents of the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.
An elated elder statesman said with the projects signalled that the current administration had started well especially giving facelift to the twin-cities of Effurun and Warri.
In a letter addressed to Governor Oborevwori on Monday, Chief Clark expressed his satisfaction with the projects, while urging him to extend similar development to other parts of the state.
He also told the governor that he has his blessings in his quest to bring infrastructural development to the state.
Read Full Letter Below:
25th September, 2023.
His Excellency,
Rt. Hon Sheriff F. Oborevwori,
The Executive Governor of Delta State,
Government House Asaba,
Delta State.
Your Excellency, my son,
RE: GIVING WARRI A FACELIFT PROMISE FULFILLED
I write to express on behalf of the people of Warri and elders of Warri referred to as ‘WARRI BOYS’ our gratitude and appreciation for the great plan you have for the rehabilitation and urban renewal of our hometown, Warri/Effurun. Particularly, the recent award of some major contracts to a reputable company such as Julius Berger in the sum of #78 billion is a show of your sincerity of purpose. Indeed, I understand that part payment has been made to the contractors.
2. I recall in your inaugural speech on 29th May, 2023, you promised that you will give Warri a facelift. The media reported thus;
“The newly sworn in Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has vowed to give special attention to the oil-rich city of Warri, the commercial hub to advance the economy of the State”.
And you were quoted directly as saying;
“Warri the commercial nerve centre of the State will be given special attention under this administration. The process has already commenced with the establishment of the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA)”.
3. My first open letter I addressed to Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa on 2nd February 2023, I criticised him for abandoning Warri and thereby reducing it into a village; an extract of my first letter is reproduced hereunder:
“it maybe too late, but finally, I wish to again advice you not to reduce Warri to a deserted village as Chief James Onanefe Ibori did to Sapele, as he removed most of the offices from Sapele to Oghara his hometown. This is exactly what you are carrying out now”.
4. Also, I addressed an open letter to your predecessor on the eve of his re-election into office, when I strongly advised him that he should not abandon Warri as his predecessor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan did for eight (8) years in office.
5. The recent contract which you have awarded include the:
i) Design and construction of a flyover bridge at the Enerhen Junction to Marine Gate;
ii) Study design, construction of road expansion and improvement work on the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to the Delta Steel Complex(DSC) Round-about; and
iii) Construction of a ¾ Clover Interchange at the existing Effurun flyover bridge and two pedestrian bridges.
Others are the:
i) Design and construction of a flyover bridge at the ever busy Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction; and
ii) DSC Round-about along Effurun/Patani, East-West Highway and Effurun in Uvwie LGA.
6. I am confident that the above contracts when completed, will no doubt, bring great joy and satisfaction to the indigenes and inhabitants of the Old Delta Province and will definitely bring back the old glory of Warri which as you know is comprised of various heavily oil producing communities.
7. On the long run, this will be to the benefit of the entire Delta, as this boost further economic and social growth of our main economic town.
8. It is obvious that you have started your tenure very well and I am confident you will extend this pattern to other major towns in the state. Already, I understand that you have awarded similar contracts for work in some of the Federal highways connecting some of the major towns. I do hope that these would all be carried out by reputable contractors so that the fate which befell your predecessors of a string of uncompleted jobs will not repeat itself. Be confident that you have my full support and encouragement. I want you to be at liberty to always reach me whenever my attention is needed for counsel and needed support.
9. Finally, my dear son, you have started well, in the fulfillment of your promise to the people of Delta State and I urge you to carry on with your good works. My fatherly prayers and good wishes are with you always.
CHIEF (DR.) E.K. CLARK OFR, CON
