BY TAIWO FAROTIMI
Arthur Okowa, governor of Delta State was all smiles as he took his turn to take oath of office for second term. He has every reason to be happy. First, the victory at the Poll last March 9 did not come easy. Then he basks in the glory of appreciation of people of Delta who believe that his first tenure has been a blessing. Blessing in improved infrastructure in particular.
In fact, in appreciation of the quantum of road project that have been done under his administration, Okowa is called “Ekwueme”.
Then he is one of the few politicians in office and who sought re-election last march that is in good terms with his godfather. Former governor James Ibori, on whose political structure Okowa rose to office in 2015 and sought reelection this year in solidly behind the governor. His experience is different from that of Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State or even Godwin Obaseki of Edo who is currently at loggerheads with his boss, Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Thus with popular support, a supportive godfather and an army of good lieutenants, Okowa can look ahead with confidence. That is why he said at the swearing in ceremony that the inauguration is for him a period of renewal of covenant with the electorate. He said the event was for him a “covenant to build a stronger Delta.”
Part of the things Deltans are to expect in the next dispensation is that the Asaba Airport will be better ran. He said the preferred bidder for the management of the airport built by his predecessor will soon emerge.
He promised to build 19 new technical colleges, which in addition to the six built during his first term will give one of such colleges to each of the 25 local government areas in the state.
To cap it all he said, “In the next four years, I shall consolidate, strengthen and upscale our wealth creation agenda to liberate the spirit of enterprise in our people through skills acquisition to wealth creation, employment generation”.