The umbrella union of Okpe people of Delta State, South-South Nigeria, has berated Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration for abandoning many projects in the area. The union also accused the governor of lack of commitment towards the take-off of the four new polytechnics in the state, two years after he inaugurated a six-man planning Committee to work out modalities on the take-off of the institutions.

“Effective leadership is not about speeches or being liked. Leadership is defined by results, not attributes. Good governance is defined not by rhetoric but by actions translated to development projects,” said the Secretary General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Mr. Henry Ebireri, in a statement issued in Lagos.

The union secretary described the action of Governor Uduaghan on the abandonment of projects as amounting to a great damage to the people and the kingdom, maintaining that the high level of unemployment and poverty in Okpe would have been reduced if the market and other abandoned projects had been completed to provide economic opportunities for the people as well as reduce the cost of transporting goods from the villages to the major towns in the kingdom and the state.

Ebireri appealed to the governor to place immense premium on human capital development, as it constitutes the catalyst for development in all ramifications.

The union scribe advised the governor to gather around him Okpe men and women who will add value to good governance and also look beyond politics and greed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

The union chief appealed to Okpe people to wake up from their apparent slumber to develop their ancient kingdom.

Specifically, he advised the Commissioner of Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, to think of how to provide decent and affordable housing for the people.

Ebireri also advised the Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Hope Eghagha, to ensure the take-off of Sapele Polytechnic and the expansion of the existing overseas postgraduate scholarship schemes to accommodate Okpe people.

He equally called on the former chairman of the Sapele Okpe Community, Mr. Michael Egbejule, and others to withdraw their case from court, answer questions on allegations of financial misconduct levelled against them and allow the conduct of a fresh election into the executive committee.

On the part of the Federal Government, the union secretary urged it to establish an institution of higher learning in Orerokpe.

“This,” according to him, “will contribute immensely to the rapid development of the area. Orerokpe has been a local government headquarters since 1933, yet no federal presence.”

*Photo: Governor Uduaghan.