As a result of the recent controversy and bickering which trailed the naming of a road in Asaba, Delta state capital, after the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the state government has put the records straight in a bid to halt further misunderstanding and misinformation.
A statement signed by Chike Ogeah Esq., the state Commissioner for Information and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 reads:
“Recently, the chairman of the Transition Committee of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Mrs. Chinwe Monu-Olarenwaju, named what used to be variously called Summit Road, Anwai Road or Illah Road after His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State.
However, this gesture from the Council seems to have been misunderstood by some people. It has, therefore, become imperative for the issue to be explained.
1. In naming the road Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, Monu-Olarenwaju was exercising the powers of a local council which has the statutory responsibility of naming and managing streets and roads in urban areas.
2. The road had no official name prior to the action by the management of Oshimili South Local Government Area (OSLGA) hence it was variously called Summit Road, Anwai Road or Illah Road.
3. The name, Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, is therefore, the first official name for the road.
4. In taking its decision, the OSLGA acted independently based on their conviction that the Governor fully merited the honour as they are witnesses to the huge transformation Asaba, the state capital, experienced under his watch.
5. It is generally acknowledged that when honour is to be bestowed on anybody, the project or monument to be named after him or her is not necessarily one executed or built by the person to be honoured. In the case of Emmanuel Uduaghan Way, it was entirely down to the decision of the management of OSLGA on which road to name after the governor.
6. The decision of OSLGA management team to name the road after Dr. Uduaghan has been widely applauded by the people of the local government and, indeed, the entire Deltans who feel highly indebted to the governor for uplifting the status of Asaba.”
Signed
CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq
Honourable Commissioner for Information