Uduaghan tasks Okowa on dredging of Warri, Koko ports

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged his successor to consider dredging the Koko and Warri Sea Ports and make them functional.

Dr. Uduaghan, who spoke Wednesday at a town hall meeting organised by the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa administration at Koko and Warri in Warri North and Warri South local government areas respectively, stressed the importance for the ports to be made functional, considering their economic role.

He said his administration was able to secure free trade status for the Koko port, adding that the port is “deep but the channel is shallow”. 

Responding, incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed said his administration was working with relevant authorities to see that Warri and Koko ports are dredged for them to function optimally.

Governor Okowa disclosed that his administration is making efforts to utilise the seaports, noting that when functional the ports will bring a lot of economic benefits to the people, the state and Nigeria as a nation.

He however noted that the cost of dredging the ports is alarming, “but we are exploring different opportunities for the ports to be functional”.

He commended the people for their support for his administration, disclosing that the town hall meetings provided the fora for him to tell the people what his administration is doing and also get feedbacks from the people on their assessment of his government.

The governor, who was accompanied by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro and top government officials assured the people that there will be consistent efforts for portable water in the state.

He urged the people to embrace the compulsory health insurance scheme.

According to him, the health insurance scheme was designed for Deltans to have easy access to health facilities, assuring the people that the health centres in the areas would be made functional because of their importance to the people at the grassroots.