Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the essence of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Bill was not to abandon Government House Annex in Warri and other areas of the state but specifically to creatively fashion a sustainable development strategy for the state capital territory.

A statement signed by Manager, Communications, Government House reads “The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to speculations particularly in the online media, regarding the promulgation of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Bill which has been approved by the State House of Assembly.

“Specifically, there have been fears in certain quarters that the Bill is designed by the new administration of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to abandon the Government House Annex in Warri. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the name of the Bill clearly implies, the Bill is meant to address the peculiar infrastructural and environmental challenges of the State Capital Territory without prejudice to the functions of the Government House Annex in Warri, or the status of Warri as the commercial nerve centre of Delta State.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, implores all Deltans to ignore the rumours which appear to be a calculated attempt by political whoremongers to spread falsehood, engage in cheap blackmail, and cause disaffection in the State. The functions of DSCTDA are clearly spelt out in the Bill establishing it. Among other things, the Agency 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 Masterplans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the State Capital Territory, as well as tackle ecological and environmental problems.”

“His Excellency, Dr. Okowa wishes to state that this policy initiative is neither strange nor new; it is consistent with attempts by Governments all over the world to create strategic intervention agencies and/or bodiesto tackle urgent economic/developmental requirements. In Nigeria, for instance, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was established by Law to undertake the infrastructural development of the Federal Capital City while the supervising ministry, the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory,is concerned with the administration and management of the territory.

“The Governor reassures all Deltans that the Government House Annex in Warri will continue to function as it had always been under previous administrations. The mandate the Governor received is a pan-Delta one, and he remains irrevocably committed to the development of every part of the State by running an all-inclusive government that will foster prosperity and promote unity among the various ethnic nationalities. Governor Okowa wishes to remind all Deltans that the elections are over. It is time for every well-meaning citizen to join hands with this administration to deliver on its S.M.A.R.T agenda anchored on the fundamental principles of fairness, equity, and justice.”