OKOWANOMICS SERIES
Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 8, OCTOBER-A 2022.

“Historic Upliftment of Riverine, Coastal and Creek Communities of Delta State” Part I – Unprecedented Development of Transport, Housing and Market Infrastructure”.

DELTA STATE JOB AND WEALTH CREATION BUREAU [DSJWCB] is pleased to publish the latest [new] edition of the twice-a-month Okowanomics Fact Sheet Series.

The purpose of this evidence-based serial publication is to continually inform and influence key stakeholders at the state and national levels regarding Governor Okowa’s outstanding governance achievements and exemplary leadership of Delta State.

This 8th edition is titled “Historic Upliftment of Riverine, Coastal and Creek Communities of Delta State” Part I – Unprecedented Development of Transport, Housing and Market Infrastructure”

Okowanomics Fact Sheets provide authoritative up-to-date data and statistics that can be cited and publicised, accordingly.

Please read, use and share the Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 8, October-A 2022, attached as follows.

Thanks.

HISTORIC UPLIFTMENT OF  LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE RIVERINE, COASTAL AND CREEK COMMUNITIES OF DELTA STATE

PART I

UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT, HOUSING AND MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE 

Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 8, October-A, 2022

1.0  INTRODUCTION

Okowanomics Series is a semi-monthly [twice-a-month] bulletin of evidence-based “Fact Sheet” showing Governor Okowa’sspectacular achievements of job and wealth creation, development of infrastructure, urban renewal, transformation of education and health systems, peace and security, social harmonyand overall economic development. The Scorecard Series is a “book of chronicles” of Governor Okowa’s legacies and footprints in the geopolitical entity of Delta State. It is a tracker dashboard that mirrors real-time the unique developmental strides in Delta State under the leadership of Governor Okowa. 

The Series is developed and published by Delta State Job & Wealth Creation Bureau, using verified information and data from the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). 

2.0   THE CONCEPT OF OKOWANOMICS

Okowanonics is the brand identity representing the gamut of Governor Okowa’s political shrewdness, developmental philosophy and governance ideology defined by his people-centred policies, mission-oriented approach, economic prudenceand social intelligence.

Underlying Okowanomics is Governor Okowa’s exceptional  assortment  of  personality   and character

virtues notably critical thinking, clear foresight, sound planning, clever coordination, effective execution, humility, self-discipline, people-skills and executive intelligence. These sterling qualities and attributes are manifest in the excellent leadership and exemplary governance of Delta State from 29^th of May 2015 to date.

3.0   FOCUS OF 8^TH EDITION 

Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 8 spotlights Governor Okowa’shistoric upliftment of living conditions in the riverine, coastal and creek communities of Delta State through the unprecedented development of transport, housing facilities and market infrastructure. 

4.0  THE RIVERINE, CREEK AND COASTAL 

       FEATURES OF DELTA STATE 

Given its location, Delta State has a unique geo-ecological landscape. On its western boundary, the State has a long Atlantic Ocean coastline of about 163 km. More than one third of its total area of 18,050 square kilometres consists of natural water bodies such as rivers, streams, tributaries, creeks, coastal swamps and estuaries. This geographical feature has both advantages and disadvantages for the affected communities and the entire State.

On the one hand, the main advantages of the state’s geography relate to the huge potentials for the development of marine economy, aquaculture, artisanal fishing and maritime transport. The State has a rare quadruplet of seaports along the Niger Delta coastline in the port towns of Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutuand two critical national economic assets – crude oil terminals at Escravos and Forcados. On the other hand, the geospatial and topographical peculiarities of the riverine, coastal and creek communities pose tremendous constraints to their infrastructural, physical and economic development. 

The constraints of infrastructural physical and economic development of these communities imply huge additional project construction costs and highly difficult transport logistics to deliver on health and education facilities, housing and transport infrastructure. Overcoming this geospatial challenge requires strong political will, sound planning, cost effectiveness and faithful execution of projects. These are the qualities and virtues which His Excellency, Governor of Delta State, has brought to bear in the historic transformation of the living conditions and welfare of communities and people of the state’s riverine, coastal and creek communities. 

The historic transformation of these riverine, coastal and creek communities is manifest in the assortment of development projects that have either been completed or ongoing, from 2015 to date. The development projects include roads, bridges, schools, health centres, housing, markets and support for economic activities. These projects have had historic impact in uplifting the living conditions, people’s welfare and development prospects in these communities.

5.0   DEVELOPMENT OF ROADS AND BRIDGES [COMPLETED AND ONGOING]

Below is a sample of roads and bridges [completed and ongoing] in the riverine, creek and coastal communities of the state.

• Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri bridge and access roads in Warri South LGA.

• Town [internal] roads in Okerenkoko, Ogidigben, Gbaramatu, Benikrukru and Kunukunuma in Warri South-West LGA. 

• Ogulagha-Youbebe-Biniebiama road, Obotobo-Sekebolou-Yokori road and town [internal] roads of Ogbobagbene, Egodo-Agbodobiri in Burutu LGA.  

• Town [internal roads] in Ogbeinama, Esama, Ekamita, Kpakiama and other communities in Bomadi LGA. 

• Kwale-Beneku bridge across Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West LGAs., Beneku access roads and internal roads at Ushie and Ashaka in Ndokwa East LGA.

• Ikpide-Irri and Aviara access road, Idheze Emede ring road and other internal roads in Isoko South LGA.

• Oko Amakom/Oko Obiokpu road in Oshimili South LGA.

• Ayakoromor bridge across River Forcados and Oviri-Olomu/Egodor road across Ughelli South and Burutu LGAs.

• Access road to Uduophori, Kabowei road and Aghogho road in Odorubu, Patani LGA.

6.0   DEVELOPMENT OF JETTIES, HOUSING 

       AND MARKET FACILITIES

• Ogheye Ultra-Modern Floating Market, Warri North LGA.

• Landing concrete jetties at Naifor, Eniegbone, Salvation city and Ajuju in Warri South-West LGA.

• Development of Housing Units in Okerenkoko, Warri South-West LGA.

7.0​CONCLUSION

The historic transformation of living conditions in the riverine, coastal and creek communities of Delta state through unprecedented development of roads, water transport facilities,health centres/hospitals, educational facilities and market facilities is the result of Okowanomics. The development landmarks have been achieved by strong political will, thorough planning, astute resource management, people-centred approachand faithful execution, which are among the defining elements of Okowanomics. 

Successful targeting of development interventions in the riverine, coastal and creek communities of Delta State is a policy model that should be emulated by states with similar geo-ecological conditions. Also, it presents important policy lessons for the federal government to improve living conditions in Nigeria’s riverine, coastal and creek communities.

We gratefully acknowledge the data and information provided by Ministry of Works, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing and Ministry of Trade & Investment.