Executive Assistant on Communication and Orientation to Delta State Governor, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the state is safe for Investment due to proactive steps taken by government and security agencies to keep the state perpetually safe.
He also commended the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Abass, and the command for effective policing, adding that the false insecurity alarm raided by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, should be disregarded, assuring that the governor, Rt Hon Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, has put in place result oriented strategies to sustain peaceful coexistence and security of life and property in the state.
Oghenesivbe gave the assurance while responding to questions as a guest of News Central Television via DSTV Channel 422 on Monday night, and Crown FM Radio Asaba, respectively; wherein he debunked the N50billion mischievously alleged by APC, as over padding of the N78 Billion mega flyovers and road expansion contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, which was flagged off by governor Oborevwori on November 27.
He noted that Delta APC’s stock in trade is to fabricate fake news, spread misinformation and propaganda as negative weapons of opposition politics, saying that the contract was not padded, adding that Governor Oborevwori is prudent in the management of state resources.
Oghenesivbe said Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is a responsible key player in the construction industry spanning several decades with no reported case of overinflation of contracts traced to the German company, pointing out that the contractor knows her onions and would deploy high technology equipment and engineering expertise to deliver the projects within 27 months.
He challenged the APC State Publicity Secretary to tell the public how he or his party arrived at the N50 billion contract padding, because the allegation was not supported with verifiable evidence, and therefore, should be disregarded.
“The construction of the three flyover bridges, roads expansion and pedestrians which was flagged off on Monday by Governor Oborevwori cannot be faulted by any right-thinking Deltan or political party that means well for our people and the state.
“The mischievous allegation clearly revealed that APC is anti-progress in Nigeria, as can be seen from the mismanagement of our national economy, and consistent expression of bitterness each time Delta State Government embarked on mega infrastructure and socioeconomic projects for sustainable growth and development.
“First, APC lied by saying that the entire N78billion contract sum was paid upfront to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and after we debunked the propaganda with facts and figures, the State Publicity Secretary of APC made a U-turn and alleged that the contract was padded to the tune of N50billion, without backing his claim with verifiable evidence.
“All these false alarms and baseless allegations point to show that the APC party in Delta State is anti-development, unprogressive and shall remain an inconsequential opposition for many years to come.”
Oghenesivbe quoted Governor Oborevwori as saying that the construction of the mega road projects would provide new and multifaceted jobs, create wealth for skilled and unskilled workers at various sites, as well as flourishing business for artisans, transporters, food vendors, suppliers and consultants.
He posited that the Gov Oborevwori administration had increased the tempo of good governance by embarking on several solid and people-oriented infrastructure projects across the state, adding that upon completion, the flyovers and expanded roads would resolve the problems of heavy traffic congestions, facilitate movement of goods and services for sustainable socio-economic development in those areas.
This, he said, was a fulfilment of the Governor’s electioneering campaign promises, encapsulated in his MORE agenda.
Oghenesivbe, who commended the Governor’s wisdom and vision for his choice of Julius Berger for the project said, this is the very first time construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, is moving high technology equipment to Delta State for road construction since the creation of the state.