Sunny Ofehe, the governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party in Delta State, recently visited former governor James Ibori at his home in Oghara. Ofehe clarified that the purpose of the visit was not to solicit Ibori’s endorsement or support as a candidate, but rather to engage in a discussion as an elder statesman. This meeting was part of Ofehe’s campaign efforts leading up to the general election scheduled for March 11, 2023.
Following the closed-door meeting, Ofehe expressed the importance of Ibori’s influence in determining the next governor of Delta State. He urged Ibori to leverage his connections to create a level playing field for all governorship candidates, allowing them to present their visions for Delta State ahead of the election. Ofehe emphasized the state’s potential, stating, “There is no place in the world where four seaports are located within a 110-kilometer radius, yet the state is not benefiting from them.”
Ofehe highlighted Delta State’s resources, mentioning its 165.12 kilometers of coastline and the untapped opportunities in fisheries and marine activities. He recounted his visit to Gbaramatum Kingdom, where he observed numerous oil wells and flow stations, yet noted that the local citizens lacked basic water services despite Delta State being the largest crude oil producer in Nigeria. He pointed out that Nigeria is currently the eighth-largest exporter of crude oil, underscoring the paradox of wealth and local deprivation.
He further compared Delta State’s geography to that of Rotterdam, which has the highest concentration of tank farms globally despite not producing crude oil. Ofehe argued that with effective leadership, the four seaports in Delta State could be revitalized through foreign direct investment. He also remarked on the Ethiope River, describing it as the deepest single inland waterway in Africa, and lamented the missed commercial opportunities in the region.
Ofehe concluded by stating that if elected as governor, he would focus on harnessing the commercial potential of the Ethiope River, transforming it into a tourist attraction for both local and international visitors.
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