PDP members agog as Okowa re-awards Ayakoromo bridge contract

The chants of “PDP don come o, follow who know road o,” by a jubilant crowd of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rented the atmosphere in the Burutu area of Delta State during the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa’s visit on Tuesday.

Okowa, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP, expressed gratitude to the people for the continued support given to the party and the state government.

The governor, however, announced that the Ayakoromo Bridge contract has been retrieved from the former contractor who failed to perform and re-awarded it to SETRACO Nigeria Limited.

He said: “My dear people of Burutu Local Government Area, I thank you for all your support for our party candidates over the years.

“We have also reciprocated your support by constructing concrete pavement for all internal roads in Burutu town; another 20.29 kilometre Obotobo 1-Obotobo 11-Sokebolou-Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom.

“We constructed a modern market and built schools in Burutu Town, Ogulagha, and other communities but unfortunately there is one project that you people are not happy about which is the Ayakoromo Bridge.

“The contractor has not been doing well and we have recently terminated the contract and re-awarded it to SETRACO Nigeria Ltd.

“Next week, we will mobilise them to start and they will finish it because it is a promise I made to you people and I must fulfill it.”

Governor Okowa urged the people to remain committed to the Atiku-Okowa ticket, and assured them that the PDP would win the 2023 presidential election and rescue Nigerians from the hardship caused by the “inept” APC-led administration.

“Our party has recognised one of your own, my humble self as vice-presidential candidate and by the Grace of God, the Atiku-Okowa ticket will win the election in 2023.

“I appeal to you all to give us your support to enable us to turn out more votes for our party; we have done well campaigning in 15 States so far and we are very sure of victory for the party,” the governor added.

On his part, the Delta State Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, said the impressive turn-out of supporters was an indication that Burutu over time had been a PDP Local Government Area.

He said the Okowa’s administration had done a lot for Burutu community in terms of road construction and charged the people to vote for all PDP candidates in the 2023 general election.

Also speaking, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the Ijaw people for adopting all candidates of the PDP for the 2023 general election.

He stated that Okowa’s administration had provided a lot of infrastructure for Burutu LGA, with over 30 kilometre roads constructed and over 44 schools renovated and constructed.

Oborevwori, who was flanked by his running mate, Monday Onyeme, assured that he would deploy his ‘MORE Agenda’ for the advancement of Delta State.

The state chairman of the party, Kingsley Esiso, said the people of Delta State were happy that the state would for the first time, produce the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and urged the people to work hard towards the realisation of the Atiku-Okowa Presidency in 2023.

The lauded the Governor for terminating the Ayakoromo Bridge project and re-awarding it to a more competent contractor and for transferring the State School of Marine Technology from the Ministry of Transport to Higher Education for effective management.

Other PDP leaders, who spoke at the rally included the director of the state campaign council, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, a former governorship aspirant, Braduce Angozi; among others.

The Star

Segun Ojo