LAGOS JUNE 8TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Commissioner representing Ukwuani area, Hon Ken Okolugbo has accused his distractors over reports accusing him of not owning a degree certificate.
He, however, maintained that the gossip did not in any way distracted him from performing his civic duties to his people as DESOPADEC Commissioner, adding that it rather spur him to work harder.
The issue of the certificate forgery has since been put to rest by clearnace from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State and clean bill of investigation from the Nigerian police.
Okolugbo who made the pronouncement while responding to questions from journalists at Ughelli Delta State on Thursday said, “You know when you are in a position, there is always distraction. It was just a rumour that looks like it was true. The truth about it is that those who speculated the rumour and petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the issue have been charged to court for allegedly peddling false rumour.”
Okolugbo maintained that the rumour never impacted on negatively because those holding key position like him should be ready or better resign.
“When you are in a key position, you should be ready for such distraction or better resign. It is only when you are not ready for the job that is where it will impact on you negatively. It never impacted on me negatively. Look at Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. He is being distracted everyday despite that he is finishing so strong. You must agree with me with due respect to the governor’s transformational agenda that what is happening in term of transformation in Delta State you do not have anywhere in Nigeria. But people are still distracting him. Even with the bridges he is constructing in Asaba and Warri people are criticizing him for rushing the projects. Distraction and criticism must always come your way as an appointed leader, but you must remain focus, ” Okolugbo who said he had commissioned no fewer than thirty three projects since he assumed office observed.
He, however, advised that people should be involve in constructive criticism rather than rumour of destruction, saying that when you criticize constructively, it would assist them greatly in their duties.
Hear him, “You do not expect everybody to support you. So we must always have critics. You cannot take critics from us,” he noted.
Responding to reports making the rounds that he is preparing to contest election into the House of Representatives, Okolugbo said he had once contested election to the House of Representatives in the past and it would not be out of place if he is to contest for the same position but quickly added that right now he is pre-occupied with the functions of his office as DESOPADEC Commissioner and election into House of Representative should not be his priority.
Hear him, “But, like I said, the Governor has giving me a duty and I am concentrating on the duty. If my people wish that I should go for a higher office, I will seek the clearance of the Governor who is my leader. “
Okolugbo revealed that he has been empowering widows since he came into office, adding that he had empowered no fewer than 100 widows in each Church in his constituency.
“That is to tell you how much we have impacted on people,” he said.
Denying allegations that his gesture on people is attempt to raise followers for his political ambition, he said, “No. It is done to touch life. Our primary aim is to touch lives of people in the oil producing area. They cannot see Emmanuel Uduaghan who is our amiable governor. It is us they can see. They cannot throw their problem to the floor of Uduaghan. It is us they can meet. It is not politics. It is part of our mandate.”