We constantly set conflicting expectations on how to look at issues of development, especially Deltans. The two contradictory expectations that Deltans have about development is one, that they want Delta State to be like Lagos Island or Port Harcourt, where development is concentrated in one city or one axis but dislike the development of Asaba, the State capital.
As I have always noted, any administration in Delta State at any time must play the game of balancing act to site development projects across the State. As such, it is not easy to be abreast with the overall development of the State at a single glance. This is especially so because the local government headquarters and the major towns in the State are all competing for infrastructure development with the State capital and Warri.
When people discuss most other States, they are only discussing developments in the State capitals and specialized areas, like Lekki in Lagos. In Delta State, it would be impossible to concentrate development in Asaba or Warri. This easily allows for pejorative judgment, especially by those who see Asaba and Warri as being the only development centres in the State.
In the State, the network of roads in certain villages will be surprising for a non-resident, I was shocked at road networks in Otor Iyede in Isoko north, Obio in Oshimili north, Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East, Oghara in Ethiope East and Mosogar also in Ethiope west, among others.
It is doubtful if the majority of Deltans know what is going on in the creeks in terms of infrastructure development. Worthy of mention are the roads that have been embarked upon in riverine communities with their difficult terrain. In particular, I will like to cite the Main Axial Road and Okerenkoko Township roads in Warri South West Local Government Areas as some of the flagship projects of this administration. There is also the on-going rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay of the 19.7km Obutobo 1 - Obutobo11 – Sokebolou – Yokori road in Burutu Local Government Area. These projects have excited the residents of these communities and underscore the resolve of the government to break new frontiers and bring development to every part of the State no matter how remote.
Some of the major road projects that readily come to mind are the 10.8km km Okpare-Umolo-Ovwodokpor-Kiagbodo road in Ughelli South and Burutu LGAs, Jeddo-Ughoton road in Okpe LGA and Construction of Access road to Eagle Heights University, Oteri Township road in Ughelli North LGA and Okpe-Olomu/Otor-Orere Olomu road Ughelli South LGA.
Sometimes, critics have come up with the propaganda that the governor is nepotic in concentrating infrastructure projects in Delta North. But they forget that they laughed at Asaba, pretending that they truly loved Asaba to be developed. Governor Okowa responded positively and turned his attention to the State capital. Rather than acknowledge him, they came up with the propaganda that Okowa is developing only Delta north. Here again, we meet a major contradiction in expectations.
There is no doubt that most of the propaganda against Governor Okowa is erroneously thought out. Government critics easily point out that Asaba is not as a befitting a State capital. What the current administration is doing is to give the State capital a facelift. To check the perennial flooding of Asaba, the State capital, the State government is investing heavily on constructing storm drainage system in the city, to take the water to River Niger. The airport and link roads are also receiving attention to bring it to standard.
Succinctly put, Okowa is a good man. Those who know him well will testify to this fact. At least, he cannot be described as 'wicked' or 'crafty' or 'manipulative' or 'unaccommodating'. Okowa is rather, an interesting jolly good fellow who is open and accessible to all, no matter your age, status or creed.
A typical grassroots mobilizer, he is caring and accommodating, but smart and intelligent. That is not to say that he is infallible, no man is. But, people often make the mistake of forming an opinion about some persons from a distance, based on unverified hearsay.
Okowa is a victim of this kind of misconception. Perhaps because, like King Oedipus whose major tragic flaw was his inability to control his anger in critical moments when reason should prevail, Okowa's political flaw is his inability to tell lies and give false hope in the face of critical reality - what people call diplomacy.
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