By Emeka Nwokocha
A renowned advocate of good governance in Nigeria, Zik Gbemre, has called on Urhobo public office holders to scale up infrastructural development in their constituencies and improve the living standard of the people.
Gbemre made the call recently while lamenting seriously over the deplorable state of Effurun-Sapele-Benin Road.
He said, “Effurun-Sapele-Benin Road which is a federal highway has become the worst federal road in the country.
“It takes a full day journey on vehicle from Effurun to Benin, a distance that should be covered by motorists within one hour”.
Gnemre charged Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator representing Delta Central to expend his energy to deliver dividends of democracy to his constituents and jettison his reelection campaigns.
Gbemre stated that “The only road leading to Ede’s hometown of Sapele is bad,” adding that even Osubi Airstrip in his constituency has also been neglected.
He said “Osubi needs upgrade and expansion of its runway to enable big aircrafts land and take off.”
Gbemre also stated, “Mr. Festus Keyamo, Aviation minister is also a native of Ephron (Effurun) city of Uvwie LG, few kilometers from Osubi Airstrip. Governor Oborevwori is also a native of Osubi Town. Oborevwori, Dafinone and Keyamo prefer to use Asaba Airport to board flights while Osubi Airstrip is unattended to.”
He further stated that, “Keyamo had made many failed promises on Osubi Airstrip Runway expansion/upgrade,” adding that “The Effurun-Osubi-Orerokpe-Eku-Abraka road has collapsed and abandoned,” while in Avwraka (Abraka), the road has completely divided into two at the main town junction.
“This road is a Delta state road and not federal road,” he stated.
Gbemre expressed disappointment at latest trend of caution he had received for speaking truth to power over worrisome developmental challenges that stare the people in the face.
He particularly stated, “When you write, the watchdogs of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will label you a perpetrator of cyber bullying.”
He further stated, “The other day I wrote on Oborevwori’s poor handling of Warri crises and one of his media aides called to tell me that I am committing cyber bullying offence.”
Gbemre noted, “Any administration that is scared of constructive criticism has failed,” saying, “You don’t expect a man of my age to praise public office holders for practically doing nothing. I will continue to advocate for the good of the people no matter who and what is involved.”
He stated also that, “Let them continue with their new language of cyber stalking and cyber bullying. Who is cyber bullying who? Those telling lies about performance without performing are the problems of any administration.”
Adding to the number of bad roads in Delta State, Gbemre said, “The popular Udu-Ughievwem Road is very bad until few days ago that patching of some sections of the road commenced.”
He added, “Udu-Ughievwem Road connecting Warri- Enerhen-Udu-Ughievwen down to NEPA ought to be made a dual carriage way,” saying “The traffic on this road is much. Those going to Bayelsa and Port Harcourt from Udu and Ughelli South ply this route.”
He accused Hon. Francis Waive, who represents the people of Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu federal constituency in the House of Representatives of always praising himself on social media for attracting federal medical centre in Udu, saying, “The project has only a sign post to show for it at the moment.”
Expressing disappointment, Gbemre said, “Waive who is representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu is not bothered, even when there is no good motorable road to his hometown of Obi-Ayagha, he has nicknamed Oborevwori road master.”
