According to him, his administration had achieved so much despite distractions from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. He noted that the state’s media, journalists, people of the state, and civil servants, in particular, had contributed immensely to the success story of his administration.
Mr Okowa recounted the turbulent first two years of his administration when it was difficult to pay workers’ salaries, but he weathered the storm, stating that the peace existing in the state today could be attributed to God and the efforts of his administration to succeed.
“I want to thank the traditional rulers, royal fathers, youths, and indeed religious leaders for their cooperation over these eight years that had ensured peace in the state,’’ he said.
The governor also stated that his administration had constructed over 2,000 kilometres of roads, 1,000 drainages, and many bridges linking various communities, including riverine communities in the state.
According to him, the ravaging flood that flows from the Okpanam axis of the state capital to Asaba over the years has been stopped with stormwater drainage.
“This government also undertook a study of the situation in the Warri and Effurun areas of the state, with a drainage project targeted to gulp about N20 billion.
“The Warri drainage project is 70 per cent completed, and at its completion, it will be possible to build roads that could stand the test of time,” he said.
Governor Okowa noted that his administration established four state universities to absorb students of the state origin, among others, who could not be absorbed in other universities, even when they met the qualification.
According to him, the students are not paying tuition fees but an appreciable amount to enable the universities to run internal administration while the government pays the teachers’ salaries.
“We do not charge fees in Delta universities, but running costs, and our universities have been in sessions without hitches, but unfortunately, those in the states whose government kept at home for eight months are criticising the state,” he added.
The governor also revealed that the government had built technical schools with state-of-the-art facilities to aid technical education and advocated the introduction of entrepreneurial skills in the state universities as the way to go.
He said that the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme enrolled over one million people in the scheme, aimed at ensuring improved health for the people. Workers’ salaries and allowances are now paid as and when due.
“Recently, the opposition APC rumoured about Delta borrowing N850 billion, which is a lie from the pit of hell.
“I did explain that the federal government owed us about N217 billion as they owe several other states, and we said let us take a bridging finance of N150 billion, which was later pruned to N100 billion.”
Governor Okowa also stated that the state had been able to attract foreign direct investments worth over $5 billion in the past six years, with notable investments in the areas of agriculture, power, and oil and gas.
He said that his administration had provided an enabling environment for investors to thrive, adding that the state was open for business.
The governor also noted that the state had improved its security architecture, leading to a significant reduction in crime and criminality.
He thanked security agencies in the state for their dedication and commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.
Governor Okowa also revealed that his administration had provided over 450 transformers to various communities in the state, leading to improved electricity supply in those areas.