Security On High Alert …As Jonathan Visits Delta

Delta State Government has assured on tight security as Oghara youths are set for showdown over President Goodluck Jonathan planned working visit to Oghara, home of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, who is presently embattled over alleged corruption charges.

There are also indications that the Oghara traditional institution headed by HRH Isaac Umukoro JP, Oreki II, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom is eager to be keyed into the state government programme on the proposed Saturday visit of Mr. President. A move which some Oghara kinsmen says would help appeal to the  President to softpedal on the Ibori matter, which sources claim has the backing of the presidency.

The President is billed to commission the Delta State Teaching Hospital and the Nigerian Naval Logistics Command Headquarters both at Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of Delta state on Saturday, June 19, 2010 .

The multi-billion naira projects were started by the James Ibori administration but completed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The Oghara youths are said to be angered over the circumstances surrounding the corrupt charges leveled against Ibori as they are laying claim to the fact that his predicaments is as a result of the seeming political differences between him (Ibori) and Goodluck Jonathan when he was Vice President. 

Reacting to the proposed protest by the youths of Oghara, Secretary to State Government (SSG) and Chairman, planning committee on the presidential visit, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa said: “We are atop of security arrangements. The state police command, State Security Service, military Joint Task Force and the Navy have been alerted on the intended protest. We are on top of the planned protest as the traditional institution and women are ready to play host to Mr. President.”

He emphasized that the youths ought to have been happy because “the state government has provided this project with an expert health facility for the benefit of the people of the area. The community should therefore be fully ready to play host to Mr. President and you know it is not easy to have the president visit your area to commission landmark projects”, he said.

Okowa noted that the significance of the two projects sited at Oghara is hinged on security and infrastructure development which forms the basis of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan three-point agenda.

According to him, the state of the art teaching hospital has been ready since last year with expatriate medical personnel to work and train resident doctors for two years will be put into effective use as soon as it is commissioned.

He also said that in as much as the state government is determined to encourage the Navy in the provision of security in waterways, the presence of Naval Command headquarters at Oghara will further boost activities at the coastal area of the state.

“This visit is unique in various ways. First, it is the maiden working visit to our state of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since his assumption of office in that capacity. It is equally unique because we will be welcoming one of ours in this exalted position to Delta state. It will also give us an opportunity for the demonstration of the love and fraternal bond which the state shares with Mr. President.” 

The President is expected to be conducted on a facility tour of the Delta State Teaching Hospital and accorded a Quarter Guard reception at the Nigerian Naval Logistics Command after the formal commissioning of both projects.

He would also be treated to a luncheon at the state presidential lodge and grand reception at the event and conference centre in Asaba, the state capital before departure via Benin Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,Abuja.

It is recalled that the projects earlier scheduled for commissioning in November 2009 could not be commissioned due to ill health and eventual death of former President, Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua.