By Emma Arubi - Snr. Correspondent, Warri
AS the campaign to elect new chairmen and councilors for the 25 local government councils in Delta State kicked off on Monday to terminate today, various party flag bearers have been selling themselves to the electorate once more as to why they should be voted for come Saturday, October 25, 2014. In Warri, the commercial capital and political hotbed of the state, it is poster galore for contesting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants and that of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). In the race as to who becomes the next council boss, grassroots political heavy weights are set to slog it out to prove their acceptability by the voting public. While the ruling PDP has the advantage of solid political structure on ground, the APC cannot be said to be as solid. In the same vein, while the PDP parades a household name, Mathew Mofe-Edema (aka Man of God) and one time chairman of the council as their candidate for Saturday council poll, the APC candidate, Demi Ogona, is relatively unknown and the Labour Party (LP) virtually non-existent. But when Deltans go to the poll on Saturday what they should be looking out for is some body with the penchant for hard work, credibility and administrative acumen cum political sagacity to meet their genuine yearnings for democracy dividends. In this interview with Daily Independent, Mofe-Edema revealed why he wants to come back as the council boss for another tenure. For example he said financial prudence is the secret behind his success in his first outing as chairman of the council. He similarly spoke of how he stepped on powerful toes for many projects to become a reality.
On past success story.
I keyed into the peace, security and infrastructural development agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to be able to attain the moderate achievement recorded during my first tenure. In the health sector, all the comatose health centres came back alive and are functioning till date for free in the entire council area. I also empowered the women in the council to enable them sustain themselves and their families.
Peace and harmonious relationship was built through the introduction of football competitions among the various tribes that make up the Warri South LGA and even among non-indigenes and other Nigerians resident here with everyone believing in the good neighbourliness, trust and mutual respect. Everyone was carried along.
Not only that, the long abandoned colonial King George Hall was refurbished to modern standard and it has become the pride of the elderly people in the oil city of 60 to 70 years and above. It generates a lot of revenue to the council today.
Before my tenure, there was no legislative chamber properly designed for councilors. I built an ultra modern and befitting legislative council for the legislative arm of the council that is very functional to date. The council was blessed with a fish farm that has never existed before my coming into office and is yielding money today also.
Remember also that there was a sub-secretariat that was like a desolate structure and abandoned government office. I carried out total refurbishment and today the sub-secretariat is still wearing the new look and life I gave it. Abandoned vehicles were removed and trees planted, just as desk, tables and other furnishing were provided for the welfare of the workers.
Most importantly, arrears of salaries and current ones, including allowances were promptly paid and workers welfare was a priority as different from what it was before I came in as the council chairman. All these I was able to achieve by the Grace of the Almighty God.
We have become a people who glorified mediocrity, misfit and wrong doings as the hallmark of achievement and statesmanship. If you take steps that it is intended to correct these anomalies, people would look at you as somebody from the moon.
However, there is still a lot to be done. With the degree of infrastructural decay in the society today, it would take more than just three years to get things working back properly and that is why am coming back for a second term.
How he got PDP ticket.
In my case, the grassroots were behind me and that gave me a lot of motivation. They saw things they long saw many years ago during the days of Dr. Joseph Otumara. The whole council area was happy with me and that why today, in spite of the multiplicity of aspirants the masses are routing for ‘Man of God’, including fellow aspirants who did found it easy to step down for me to continue my good work for council and people. It was truly a PDP family affairs and not a case of one aspirant out smarting the other. I thank them profusely for their understanding and support. That is why the PDP will continue to win.
Assessment of Governor Uduaghan’s administration?
He has done exceedingly well. No man can do all in eight years. Somebody has to come to continue from wherever he stops. Government is a continuum as you know. From the time of Chief James Ibori to Dr. Uduaghan you will notice a geometric rise or progressive growth in terms of development in all ramifications all round the state in the economy. The next Governor should be ready not only to build on the solid foundation already built by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan but must be ready to surpass same and take Delta State to the next level and beyond oil.
Finally, I will like to be remembered as one chairman that came, worked with dedication, integrity and the fear of God for the benefit of mankind.
The post My plans for Warri South council, by Mofe-Edema appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.