The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has met with stakeholders in Warri on the need to create a peaceful atmosphere for the development of Delta State and the Niger Delta region.
The Governor, during the meeting at the government house annex, Warri, decried the destruction of oil facilities in the Niger-Delta region which he said had compounded the financial woes of the nation as oil prices have not only reduced but, the country could not increase oil production to boost revenue.
Governor Okowa said that the meeting was necessary to intimate the people about the current financial and economic challenges being faced by the state.
Earlier, the Governor met with the leadership of Ugborode community, South West local government area of Delta State for the effective commencement of work at the multi-billion dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) project in the area.
Addressing a cross section of journalists in Warri after the State Security Council Meeting, Governor Okowa observed that although, Ugborode community was peaceful, there was the need to sensitize them to build on the existing peace as construction works would commence in the multi-billion dollars project within the next couple of weeks.
Governor Okowa also asked representatives of Ogbe-Ijaw and Aladja communities to cooperate with the committee set up by his administration to proffer lasting solutions to the dispute that has rocked both communities over the years.
Governor Okowa gave room for participants to express themselves on how they could provide the peaceful atmosphere for the economy to strive.
On their part, the State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim called on Deltans to give useful information to security operatives to nip situations in the bud, observing that criminality, especially pipeline vandalism, has long term effects on the environment.
Others stakeholders who spoke at the occasion, including traditional rulers called for the implementation of local content policy in the oil sector and proper equipping of security operatives.
Some others cried out over gross marginalization of their communities and appealed to the state and federal government to give them adequate attention.
