Former Secretary to the Delta State government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, has said that successive administrations ought to give special attention to the development of Warri and its environs because of its uniqueness as the commercial capital of the State.
Macaulay made this assertion while fielding questions from newsmen in a phone-in program in Crown FM Radio, Warri, recently.
The former labour leader who also served as the Honourable Commissioner for Inter-Ethnic Relations and Conflict Resolution and later Commissioner for Energy, noted that whatever investment any government in power devotes to the transformation of Warri and its environs is worth it, adding that city has contributed so much to the development of Nigeria for several decades.
Macaulay however regretted his inability to perform to his satisfaction when he was appointed the the Diector-General of Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, WUEDA, by former Gov. Okowa, pointing out that paucity of funds to work with made him handicap as though he was appointed to be disgraced.
“I really have to explain that before somebody gets me wrong. What I mean by that was that I have a record, by the grace of God, I have a pedigree of service. And for me, as a politician, my own idea of politics is that any position for which you cannot positively impact on the people is not worth it.
“I came to Warri with a dream and that dream was to transform Warri, the largest oil city. But that dream I could not actualize. And that was why I felt it was really meant to disgrace me because if people were to judge me by what happened in Warri I’m not sure the type of fans I have across Delta State today will still be there for me.
“I felt bad that I couldn’t do so much because I had so many plans diversifying traffic in Warri and building so many road outlets. On the right hand side there is a road that started years back taking you as you are entering Warri straight to Jeddo Area and before then on the left, there is a road that takes you through late Gen. Azziza’s village, Adagbrassa, and you come out near Agbarho.
“All these roads would have taken traffic from Warri before now that bridges are being constructed, and so many other things we intended to do”, he lamented.
Emphasizing more on the importance of Warri as the commercial nerve centre of the State, Macaulay expressed pains that Warri still remains what it is after several decades, adding that nobody would blame any governor for any investment in the development of Warri as an oil city.
He said: “For me, that Warri is still there, I feel pained that the oil city is not what it should be. Nobody will blame any governor for whatever he invests in Warri. For goodness sake Warri is an oil city. I’m not saying don’t develop other parts of the State. Take note, I’m an Isoko man, I’m not saying don’t develop Isoko land. But Warri is our city.
“Even in the old Bendel State, there was nobody growing up that did not have a feel of Warri. So, for me, Warri still at the level it is today is not good enough. So, that I couldn’t achieve that I felt bad.
“My brief was that yes, you would have what it takes to go and do the work you want to do there. So, it is not about what I get for myself but it is about what I couldn’t do for my people. So, that is what I meant by that statement.”
On how he has been able to sustain his charity and philanthropic disposition and tradition years after he left government, Macaulay explained that once these are the attributes of oneself, it does not matter whether you are getting something extra or not.
He further explained that he was well endowed before he went into government, adding that God has been very faithful to him hence he gives back to society even when there is no excess.
“When you live a life of charity, a life of philanthropy, it doesn’t really matter whether you are getting something extra or not. I’ve a means of livelihood before I entered government. I didn’t enter government as a pauper. I’ve been a struggling person and God has been very faithful to me. That is why even when there is no excess I give back to society”, he explained.
He however expressed gratitude to former Governor James Ibori for giving him the opportunity to serve in government where he was deeply involved in the resolution of the then Warri crisis, noting that “My life has been the life of service”.
It is on record that for over four decades, Ovuozorie Macaulay who is a professional journalist and a labour leader, has cultivated the tradition of hosting widows, youths and children from all parts of Isoko land to yearly festivities where he doles out foodstuff and cash to thousands of the people.
He has also been giving scholarships to indigent students including different forms of empowerment to Isoko youths and women across board.
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