The recently-founded Delta State Capital Development Agency (DSCTDA), Asaba, which elicited controversy in some quarters in the state, is gradually coming to life.
The frenzy of activities at the former campaign office of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Illah Road, Asaba, which now serves as the secretariat of the DSCTDA, the gentle noise of grass mowing machines and the increasing presence of street cleaners, with their black bin bags and lemon reflective vests, with the distinct insignia of the agency, on Asaba Roads, are pointers to this fact.
An indigene of the state, Odogwu Stephen Nwokolo, who visited the state capital recently, said: “The pleasing scent of freshly mowed grasses, the improving sanitation in Asaba, combined with that sense of a deliberate attempt of the current government to address both the physical and infrastructural stagnancy in the capital territory bring excitement to residents of Asaba.”
The setting up of the agency was one of the first actions of Governor Okowa on assumption of office, perhaps in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises which was to give the state capital a befitting new look.
The agency was conceived to address the physical and environmental challenges in the state capital territory. The core objective of the agency, according to the Act establishing it is to “formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the State Capital Territory; conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the State Capital Territory;
“And prepare a master plan and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the State Capital as well as tackle ecological and environmental problems”. The agency is also to attract and promote public and private investments towards these objectives.
The governor has since appointed Chief Clement Ofuani, a Chartered Accountant and one time Commissioner for Economic Planning in the state, as the pioneer Director-General of the agency.
According to the D-G, what we call the Asaba International Market Land has come under our focus. The government has decided that we should turn that place into a smart commercial city that has an economy and life; from leisure to playground, hotels, shopping malls, office complexes, residential quarters and luxury apartments that will be reminiscent of a modern city with reference to global standard.”
Ofuani, described as a disciplined administrator and also public sector reforms advocate, was also a Senior Special Assistant on Policies to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, where he was credited to have played a key role in the formulation of the Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta militants.
This DSCTDA initiative of the Okowa administration, in spite of its positive objectives, has received hash criticisms from a few people among some ethnic groups in the state.
In fact, such people had dismissed the initiative as “self-serving”, “clannish”, and “Anioma agenda”. Others from Warri area of the state had also raised concern over the development, alleging that the Okowa administration was trying to abandon the Warri Government House Annex built and operated since the tenure of former Governor James Ibori.
For instance, a publication in The Reformer, a local news outlet in the state, authored by one Zik Gbemre, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), entitled: “Delta State Capital Development Bill – A Good Example of Okowa’s Anioma Agenda”, stated “the only explanation we can deduce out of this is the fact that Governor Okowa clearly came with an “Anioma Agenda” in mind which is also aimed at satisfying his self-centred interests and that of his kinsmen, cronies and political friends…
“What is even more worrisome is the question of where will Governor Okowa get the funding to actualise his ambitions in the said Asaba Capital Territory Agency Development Bill? Is Governor Okowa going to use the funds coming from Delta South and Delta Central (where the oil and gas-producing areas are more), to actualise his ambitions in the said bill? These are questions we would like Governor Okowa to provide answers for.
“We strongly declare that Governor Okowa should not touch a penny or dime coming from Delta South and Delta Central areas to fund and actualise his obvious “Anioma Agenda” that is disguised in the said Asaba Capital Territory Agency Development Bill. Governor Okowa should not use the revenue coming from Delta South and Central to fund a bill that does not concern them.”
However, many have argued that the development of a state capital should be the concern of all the citizens of the state as the capital belongs to all.
Efe Ekundayo, a lawyer and development consultant, said: “There is actually no bases for the protestations of these people because Delta State belongs to all Deltans irrespective of the different senatorial zones. Also the revenues, liabilities and infrastructure in the state should also, according to law and common sense, belong to the whole state and its people. The truth is that people from the capital territory suffer the resultant effects of development as most of the time their lands are taken over by government.”
Governor Okowa had also, in a statement by Jackson Ekwugum, Manager Communications, Government House, re-assured the aggrieved people that the new agency is without prejudice to the functions of the Government House Annex in Warri or the status of Warri as the commercial nerve centre of the state.
The governor likened the DSCTDA to the FCDA, Abuja, which is saddled with the development of the Federal Capital Territory, while the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory handles administrative aspect. He added that the initiative is consistent with the attempt by governments all over the world to create strategic intervention agencies to tackle urgent economic or developmental requirements.
However, the D-G of the new agency, Ofuani and his team, have not allowed this controversy to slow them down in trying to chart a roadmap for the agency. Pioneer members of staff have been redeployed to the agency from relevant ministries and agencies, while several studies are ongoing.
In terms of environmental sanitation, Ofuani said: “We are doing a lot of work on that also; we are trying to understand, in exactitude, where the real challenge lies as well as how the agency can re-activate the existing processes to make them work effectively so that our city can wear a clean look and that garbage do not dot everywhere but are effectively disposed off.
“We are also carrying out studies to determine how the functionalities and activities at the Ogbeogonogo corridor can be changed so as to ensure freer flow of traffic and the overall sanitation of the area so that the flow of business will be improved.
“So, we are doing a thorough study of the Ogbeogonogo Market to determine an effective way of carrying out urban regeneration there. The study that will address the challenges of flooding is also ongoing.”
