Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has formally performed the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed multi-billion naira tourism industry, Delta Leisure Park, capable of employing beyond 6,000 persons and located in Olori, Udu local government.

The contract to dredge the site had been awarded to West Minister Firm at the sum of N2 billion after the government had already spent several billions in constructing the bridge leading to the site.

Uduaghan said the project was significant as it would sustain the state without oil and described the bridge as historic especially as it was constructed to encourage the firm in establishing the tourism industry in the state.

Although the governor lamented the decay and rot in the environment, he gave assurance that the tourism industry when functional would bring back the lost glory of Warri.

“We are praying to God so that this project will be logically concluded. We have awarded contract for the dredging of the site to a performing construction firm and we are playing several other roles such as providing street light and construction of roundabout and the road to accelerate the building of the industry.”

He however appealed to the community and Deltans in general to support the project as it would have a swell effect on the economy of the state.

“The benefit of this project is numerous. Apart from employment opportunities the host community will enjoy power supply as well as potable water.”

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Eden Duke who witnessed the ground breaking by Governor Uduaghan, described the project as a significant achievement that would re position the state and make it a centre piece of attraction.

Chief Eden said the industry, when operational, has the potential to employ both illiterate and literate workers and empower them economically.

Asserting that the tourism industry would be the first of its kind in Africa, he called on other states of the federation to emulate the giant stride of Delta in the tourism sector.

Also the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe Damijo, said beautiful structures would soon emerge in a few months to send clear message of the honest intention of both the company and state government.

Damijo called on the host community to reciprocate the kind gesture of the government in locating the industry in the community by embracing the project.

The Chairman SARNA Tourism Enterprise, High Chief Abel Ubeku assured that the project would promote tourism and create wealth for Deltans.

Recall that prior to the January re-run election, former Delta state Acting Governor, Prince Sam Obi had performed a ground breaking event at the same proposed Delta Leisure Park, when Uduaghan’s 2007 governorship was set aside  by an Appeal Court sitting in Benin.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the ground breaking exercise by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Eden Duke.