Editors laud Delta govt’s commitment to sports, infrastructural development

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Ozoro (Delta), Oct. 13, 2018

Some members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, on Saturday, lauded the Delta State Government for its commitment to sports and infrastructure in the state.

The Editors gave the commendation after a guided tour of some projects executed by the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in Delta South Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government hosted the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Asaba.

The guided tour, to all the three senatorial districts, was part of the programmes lined up for the conference.

Speaking to newsmen in Ozoro, Mr Vincent Obike, Director, Abia State Ministry of Information and the Chairman, SWAN, Abia Chapter said he was impressed by the number and quality of projects seen at the district.

According to him, the 14,000 seater capacity, Delta State Polytechnic Stadium, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area is fantastic.

He also said that the roads projects visited were of high quality and good links to open up access to rural communities.

“I’m impressed with what we have seen so far, particularly the stadium and I want to commend the governor for the projects.

“As a Sportswriter, the stadium is good enough to host an international sports competition or championship.

“It is beyond what most states currently have, as stadiums.

“It has eight-lane tartan tracks, this is of international standard,’’ he said.

On his part, Mr Dan Ede, Head Political Unit at Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), lauded the management of the Polytechnic, its engineers and students for designing and building the stadium.

“We learnt that this stadium was built by the Polytechnic with its internally generated revenue (IGR) and through direct labour by the school engineers and students.

“This shows prudence and spirit of enterprise by the school management and students.

“This spirit of enterprise could be emulated by other states to develop sports.

“The road projects that we have seen, are of good quality and worth the price.

“However, I want to advise that government should ensure proper maintenance of these facilities,’’ Ede said.

Also, Alhaji Bala Aji, Director, News Jigawa State Radio said the road projects would open the rural communities and improve the state’s economy.

Mr Isaac Ogerugva, Delta Senior Information Officer, who led the team on the tour, said that the 14,000 seater Polytechnic Stadium was built by the school management at the cost of N450 million.

According to him, the project was executed with the institution’s IGR with the support of the government and the community.

“The state government contributed only N100 million to support the project and since it was commissioned on Dec. 1, 2016, the stadium has hosted the State Sports Festival and the Principal Cup,’’ Ogerugva said.

The team also visited the ongoing 3.4km Ubeji Access Road, linking the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to Trans-Warri Junction in Warri South Local Government Area.

According to the Site Engineers, Efe Jessah and Mr Eric Chukwu, the project costs N3.4 billion.

Other roads inspected are the completed 1.26km NPA By-Pass, Warri South LGA at the cost of N581 million, the 1.01km Iwere College Road, Koko in Warri North LGA at N197 million and the 600 meters Luky Kpenosen Road also in Koko costing N180 million