HISTORIC UPLIFTMENT OF LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE RIVERINE, COASTAL AND CREEK COMMUNITIES OF DELTA STATE – PART 2

LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES

Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 10, November-A, 2022

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Okowanomics Series is a semi-monthly [twice-a-month] bulletin of evidence-based “Fact Sheet” showing Governor Okowa’s spectacular achievements of job and wealth creation, development of infrastructure, urban renewal, transformation of education and health systems, peace and security, social harmony and 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 prudence and 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 29th of May 2015 to date.

3.0 FOCUS OF 10th EDITION

Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 10 spotlights Governor Okowa’s historic upliftment of living conditions in the riverine, coastal and creek communities of Delta State through unprecedented development of education and healthcare infrastructure and facilities.

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 Burutu and 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 and physical 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 on the upliftment of living conditions, welfare and development prospects of these communities.

A sample of Okowanomics scorecard on educational and health sector development impacts in the riverine, coastal and creek communities is enumerated as follows.

5.0 UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOLS INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Esanma in Bomadi LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences or laboratories in secondary schools at Ogbeinama, Ogriagbene and Akugbene, Ogbeigbene in Bomadi LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Burutu, Obotebe, Ofou, Ojobo, Bikorogha, Ogbeingbene, Torugbene, Tamigbe-Zion, Eseimogbene, Bolou-Ndoro, Akparamogbene in Burutu LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences or laboratories in secondary schools at Sokebolou, Ojobo, Egodor, Tamigbe, Obotebe, Burutu, Gbekebor, Tuomo, Okpokunou in Burutu LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Toru-Angiama, Uduovie, Aven, Abari, Patani, Bolu-Angiama and Abari in Patani LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences or laboratories in secondary schools at Uduophori, Patani, Agoloma, Odorubu, Bolu-Angiama and Toru-Angiama in Patani LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Koko, Ogheye, Oboghoro, Ajagbodudu, Tsekelewu and Ogbudugbudu in Warri North LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences and laboratories in secondary schools at Abigborodo, Tsekelewu, Oboghoro and Ogbinbiri in Warri North LGA.

Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Ogidigben, Ogbe-Ijoh, Madangho, Ajudiabo, Sumoge, Agogboro, Costain, Otseyi and Diabo in Warri South West LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences or laboratories in secondary schools at Isaba, Kokodiagbene, Ogidigben, Ogbe-Ijoh, Agogboro and Oporoza in Warri South West LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Obikwele, Ase, Ibrede, Isselegu, Ossissa, Utchi in Ndokwa East LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences and laboratories in secondary schools at Iyede- Ame, Aboh, Okpai-Oluchi, Ibedeni and Igbuku in Ndokwa East LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of primary school classrooms at Olomoro, Igbide, Ewokpaka-Aviara, Enwhe and Otor-Aviara in Isoko South LGA.
Construction, renovation and furnishing of classrooms, administrative buildings, staff residences and laboratories in secondary schools at Umeh, Igbide, Araya and Enwhe in Isoko South LGA.

6.0 UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HEALTH CENTRES

Rehabilitation, renovation and refurbishment of Primary Health Centres [PHCs] at Debiri in Warri South West LGA, Tsekelewu in Warri North LGA, Kalafiogbene in Bomadi LGA and Obotebe in Burutu LGA.
Rehabilitation, renovation and refurbishment of Secondary Health Facilities [SHFs], that is, Cottage/General Hospitals at Ogriagbene in Bomadi LGA, Aboh in Ndokwa East LGA, Okerenkoko in Warri South West LGA, Ojobo in Burutu LGA, Ogidigben in Warri South West LGA, Bomadi in Bomadi LGA, Koko in Warri North LGA.

7.0 CONCLUSION
The historic transformation of living conditions in the riverine, coastal and creek communities of Delta state through unprecedented development of education and healthcare infrastructure and facilities is the result of Okowanomics.

The development landmarks have been achieved by strong political will, thorough planning, astute resource management, people-centredness and 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 information provided by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.