By Victor Lewis
Although his tenure as Executive Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area may have come to an end, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Smart Yomi Asekutu has finished strong as he at the last moment, has continued to embark on the commissioning of some strategic projects which he completed in some communities.
Today, 7/3/24, the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou joined Hon. Asekutu to commission ultra-modern Jetty, Health Centre and a pipe-borne water project worth hundreds of million of naira in Ubagboro community. He also commissioned the ultra-modern staff canteen, equipment for the staff clinic and the perimeter fence work – all in Koko, headquarters of the Council area.
Addressing the people of the Ubagboro community shortly before commissioning the Jetty, the Health Centre and the potable water borehole, Hon. Asekutu thanked them for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
Hon. Smart Asekutu, Executive Chairman of Warri North addressing the people
He thanked God for making it possible for the Council to successfully embark on the projects up to completion, adding that the essence of government is remember it’s people.
He recalled that his tenure as the chairman of the Local Government witnessed peace and unity among the people, adding that today the Ijaws and Itsekiris are one united people.
Asekutu also noted that although he could not execute similar projects in his own community, the Council decided to embark on the projects being commissioned now because the people desperately need them and they will serve several communities.
“We thank God who made it possible for us to embark on these projects and complete them. Today, we are here now to commission them. This is the essence of government. Government will always remember it’s people and provide for them what they need.
“For the period that I have been the chairman of the Local Government, we can see and we have experienced peace and we are all one.
“I have not been able to do this kind of projects in my community, but we believe that you need these projects here. We decided to do these projects here because we know it is going to serve everybody.
“In the past people have made mistakes thinking that we have problems, but I can say to you that we have no problem and we will not have problem”, he said.
Asekutu also used the occasion to advise the people that they must remain one united people, adding that they should not allow those who foment trouble in the cities to extend it to the people in the riverine communities who in turn suffer most. He urged them not to allow trouble makers to cause suffering to them.
“When I came in as chairman of the council, my number one goal was to show to everybody that we are one. Today, if you look at it very well we have been very peaceful. It is people living in the rural communities that suffer most. Problems will start in Warri and other cities, and they will extend it to us. We are the ones that suffer. This must stop”, he advised.
Responding, the Alasa (eldest man in the community), thanked the Council chairman profusely for remembering them and locating the projects in their community. He prayed for God’s blessing for the chairman and the governor of the state, adding that like Oliver Twist, they need more projects to better their lives.
The commissioning train had earlier commissioned the ultra-modern staff canteen constructed by the Council, equipment for the Council Staff clinic and even the perimeter fence.
Commenting on the achievements of the chairman, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou who represented the governor at the occasion, commended the effort of Hon. Asekutu, adding that the governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has been keeping tab on the development in Warri North.
Hon. Penawou showered encomiums on the Council chairman for the physical development of the area, particularly the sustainable of peace and security that have pervaded the Local Government in the past three years.
A modern jetty commissioned
Pipe borne water commissioned
Health Centre
COMMENTS