Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has broken more than four decades jinx of the neglect of the road leading to the Treasure Island Communities of Otutuama, Esaba, Ophorigbala, Iwhreogun and Otitiri in Ughievwen Clan, Ughelli south local government area by writing his name in gold when he awarded the Phase 1 of the road project to Zenith Construction Ltd.
Today the Phase 1 of that project which is about 3.2km is close to 95% Completion.
New engineers from the Ministry of Works, Asaba, on Wed. 12th Jan., 2022, came for an appraisal of the Phase 1 and to kick start preparation for the commencement of the phase II, work as Okowa, has graciously approved the Phase II, of the road project which entails constructing a bridge across the very difficult & challenging terrains of the Treasure Island.
The Engineers were led to the Treasure Island by former Delta Central Chairman of the PDP and the foremost leader of Jeremi Ward 4, who hails from Ophorigbala, Sir Chief E.D.O. Obofukoro JP, and was accompanied by Delta State foremost Industrialist, Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemevwa Gbagi, in a motorcade into the Island.
The first attempt to get government attention on the Road decades back was made by an illustrous Son of the Island, Chief Dr. M.B. Kalusi, of blessed Memory from Ophorigbala Community during the administration of Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, in the defunct Bendel State.
Dr. M.B. Kalusi brought then Deputy Governor, H.E., Chief Demas Akpore, to the Treasure Island & hosted him & his team of Engineers at Ophorigbala. Unfortunately, nothing substantial came out of that enterprise.
Another Prominent Son from the Island, Prof. G.G. Darah, when he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Delta State Govt. towards the end of Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s Administration, killed sleep to get Chief Ibori to lift the embargo Govt. had Placed on award of new Project; Prof. Darah’s effort yielded result & that brought about Workson Engineering coming to the Island. Yet, the road challenges remained insurmountable.
Further efforts by other Prominent Elders & Leaders of the Island such as Sir Chief E.D.O. Obofukoro JP, Chief T.O. Ovwere JP, Princess Lady Dr. C.E. Obofukoro, Prof. G.G Darah, Prince Macaulay Dase, Late Chief(Hon.) M.O. Agberia, Elder Moses Ughakpoterhi, & Rev. Dr. Isaac Chichah amongs others, to get the road constructed gained more momentum when Odoziako, Olorogun(Barr.) Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, in a show of Love & Solidarity for the People of the Treasure Island, added his Voice to that of the above Leaders & that has brought about some significant & gradual result been witnessed in the road Project today.
The People of the Island were elated by the news of the Phase Two approval of the road Project, & Prayed for God’s continuous blessings upon Gov. Okowa so that he will finish well & Stronger @ #StrongerDelta Agenda.
High Point of the Capturing by the Ministry Engineers was visit to the Esaba & Ophorigbala Rivers to link it up using GPS with the Forcados River in addition to their interaction with some Persons at the Grassroot.
