Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has promised his administration will engage relevant federal government authorities for the revitalisation of all seaports in the state.
He stated this when he received the Olu of Warri Kingdom, HRM Atuwatse III, CFR, and his retinue of chiefs at Government House, Asaba.
He commended the leadership qualities of the Olu of Warri, describing him as a blessing to our generation.
On the ports, Governor Oborevwori said he was committed to engaging the Federal Government on the revitalisation of the ports in the state.
“The port is key to the development of Delta State. Even without coming here to make a request, I will start engaging with the people at the national level to see how all the ports in Delta State will be rehabilitated.
“If the ports are rehabilitated, it will bring a lot of developments to the state. The issue of the refinery, I know that as soon as they finish the maintenance of the refinery, it will come back into operation,” he said.
Speaking further, he said: “This administration places a high premium on the role of traditional rulers in governance. This is because the royal fathers are the bridge between the people at the grassroots and the government.
“Please, anything that we are doing as a government that you are not pleased with, don’t fail to correct us. My government is open to constructive criticism.
“And if we are also doing very well, don’t fail to commend us. Constructive criticism is allowed everywhere in the world, and Delta State would not be an exception. What we don’t like is blackmail.”
On the controversy surrounding the attempted renaming of parts of Warri, Governor Oborevwori cautioned proponents to maintain the existing peace in the oil city.
“People talk about Warri; Warri today has expanded beyond the main town. Even today, people call Osubi, Warri. I don’t know why people want to make trouble.
“Warri today is a general name. I am from Osubi, but when you ask me where I am from, I will tell you Warri. So, Warri is Warri, and nobody can change it.”
Earlier, the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse III, said he led a delegation of the Itsekiri nation to congratulate the governor on his victory at the Supreme Court.
He appealed to the governor to help establish an institution of higher learning in Warri Kingdom.
“The people have spoken, and now the courts have spoken. The same God who set you on this path will continue to guide you and perfect what He has started. You have our support and prayers.
“We also want to express our appreciation, for infrastructural developments in the Warri axis. The roads, drainages, and stadium, particularly the Ode-Itsekiri Road and bridges, and the Ugborodo Phase 2 Road, which links Ugbegungun to Otumara.
“While it is under the purview of the Federal Government, we request that you join our voice in encouraging the Federal Government to speedily move in the direction of rehabilitating the ports in Delta State and the refinery in Warri.
“Revitalising these ports would ease the plight of idleness and unemployment among our young, able youths,” he said.
He appealed to the governor to help conclude the water scheme, a joint development between the state and Chevron, for the Olero and Dibi axes, stressing that potable water in the riverine area had always been an issue.
“We need all the assistance we can get from the government to make access to potable water easier for our people in Tebu, Gbokoda, Ajametan, Udoh, and Jakpa,” the monarch said.
