Ayoma Defends Festus Utuama, Says He’s a Lawmaker, Not a Commissioner Empowered to Award Road Projects…Urges Ughelli South People to Direct Demands to the Right Quarters

A respected community leader and former President General, now Otota of Iwhrekreka Community, Multiple Chief Freeborn Ayoma, has appealed to the people of Ughelli South Local Government Area to stop blaming Hon. Festus Utuama for road projects yet to be executed in the area.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ayoma emphasized that Hon. Utuama is a legislator, not a member of the Delta State Executive Council, which is responsible for deliberations and approvals of major state infrastructural projects such as road constructions.

“Hon. Utuama is not a commissioner nor a member of the State Executive Council where decisions on road projects and other capital-intensive developments are made. That exclusive forum is comprised of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and all serving commissioners,” Ayoma explained.

He added that the responsibility of presenting the needs of Ughelli South at such meetings lies with the area’s representative within the State Executive Council, not the lawmaker.

“The Governor is not a magician and does not know the specific infrastructure needs of every locality unless such issues are brought before him by the appropriate authorities,” Ayoma stated.

Chief Ayoma also highlighted Hon. Utuama’s quiet yet impactful contributions to the people of Ughelli South, which include numerous scholarships, financial aid, and welfare support to individuals and families across the wards.

“Hon. Utuama has supported many with educational scholarships and financial empowerment, often without publicity. He is also preparing a large-scale empowerment program that will cut across all wards of Ughelli South,” Ayoma revealed.

In addition to his legislative duties, Hon. Utuama has made significant efforts in the education sector by carrying out construction works at Orowe Primary School, Edjophe; Eyara Primary School, Eyara; and Erhuwaren Secondary School, Erhuwaren, among others—demonstrating his commitment to improving learning infrastructure across the constituency.

He strongly condemned what he described as media propaganda by political adversaries aimed at discrediting Hon. Utuama’s name and performance, insisting that such narratives are misleading and unfounded.

Ayoma called on the good people of Ughelli South to direct their developmental demands, especially concerning road infrastructure, to the appropriate quarters rather than blaming a lawmaker who lacks the constitutional power to award contracts.

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