By Maxwell Ogedegbe
LAGOS AUGUST 16TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Each time I read about the pretentious statements credited to the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on his strives geared toward boasting the state economy, I weep because the Okowa I know does not have the interest of our state at heart.
In the latter part of the year 2015, my office was contracted to facilitate the coming of four big weight Italian based companies to Nigeria for the purpose of investing in Nigeria and were talked into taking up the construction of the Asaba international market.
The idea was for them to build in Delta State a world class international market that will be a prototype of what is obtainable in Dubai with the state government having its controlling share as always.
With the assistance of some of my financially stable friends, my office secured the approval into Nigeria of four Italians and two blacks consisting of their doctor and lawyer amid the approved police escort by the then Police Commissioner not without unpleasant conditions (you know what I mean).
Upon their arrival, they were accommodated at the Sheraton hotels Lagos and later Wetland Hotels Udu, Delta State for the purpose of signing a non disclose agreement in our Effurun office before proceeding to Asaba where we have them accommodated at the Swiss Spirit Hotels, Asaba.
The governor who now claim to be so keen on developing our dear state and going about with a proverbial begging plate like the ;Bambiala’ and have always deceived Deltans by claiming most of his personal oversee trips were aimed at wooing foreign investors to Delta state.
Upon our arrival we were received by one Hon. Clement Ofuani Chairman of the Asaba Development Agency who held brief for the Governor.
In all fairness, after the said meeting, I gave up on the state government. Despite the slogan of a SMART agenda, the suppose Mr. Smart was not smart at all. The only obligation by the government as demanded by the Italians’ investors was to give approval for the use of the land adjoining the River Niger and stand the chance of enjoying job creation, controlling shares and development and so more.
But Mr. Governor speaking through Ofuami asked the multi nationals to go back to Italy and wait for government to advertise to the public. Nothing was heard of that investment opportunity till today.
This, no doubt must be responsible for why foreign investors are running away from our state as Mr. Governor is not smart at all. He went to China like a “bambiala” of old begging for investors. How many have indicated interest to invest I can categorically say none. Even the foreign partnership CCC enjoys in Delta State is without Okowa’s input. What a Governor indeed?
Maxwell Ogedegbe is a Warri based lawyer and human right activist