•Govt: allegations untrue
By Elo Edremoda, Warri
Ex-militants, under the aegis of Creek Dragons, have accused Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of failing to fulfil his promises after winning the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections.
The group, in a statement yesterday in Warri, urged the Federal Government to hold the governor responsible, should there be a drop in crude oil production.
The statement, signed by self-styled Commander of Creek Dragons, Gen. Freedom Adowei, warned of unleashing mayhem, should Governor Okowa fail to address the developmental challenges of the Delta Ijaw areas, as promised during the elections.
The body decried the alleged interference by the governor in the affairs of some agencies established to address people’s needs.
“Creek Dragons will no longer keep calm when a minority in terms of oil production quota embezzles host communities’ funds for selfish reasons.
“This is capable of breaking down law and order and should in case insecurity looms and oil production drops from this end, the Federal Government should hold Governor Okowa responsible because we can’t keep feeding a system we practically get nothing from.
“The governor has frustrated promising youths, forcing them to resort to crimes.
“Hence, there is need for the Creek Dragons to speak up and clear the governor’s doubts that our professionalism goes beyond making him a governor; we are also good for the worse and the governor will soon hear from us along this regard. This is a promise,” the statement said.
It added: “Governor Okowa will pay heavily for manipulating the Creek Dragons to achieve his political gains without keeping his promises.”
One of the failed promises, according to the statement, is the continued abandonment of Ayakoromo bridge project in Burutu Local Government.
Reacting to the statement, Governor Okowa, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said he had kept the promises made to ‘Deltans’.
He said: “It has been acclaimed that the governor is a promise keeper. Governor Okowa does not promise what he cannot fulfil. Whatever he says, he does it. So, he’s keeping the promises made to ‘Deltans’.
“It is an acknowledged fact that the governor is doing great things for ‘Deltans’ in all sectors, namely roads, education, health, sports, name it. It is clear to everybody. I am not sure anybody will say the governor has not kept his promise to ‘Deltans’.
“In the area of roads, people have praised him. Bridges that were never there, he has built more than any government before. The two previous administrations put together, this government has done more roads, more bridges and provided more infrastructure.”
Asked about the abandoned bridge, Ifeajika said: “Ayakoromo bridge, the work is on. Whoever says that should go and check it out. Other bridges have been done by this administration. There are 19 around the trans-Ode-Itsekiri line being done by this administration. Fifteen have been completed; the remaining four will soon be completed.”
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