By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, JP
#eacgovdelta
Nation building is a collective responsibility of governments, citizens, corporate entities, local and international stakeholders. It is not and will never be the sole responsibility of the federal government.
On the other hand, patriotism is a requirement for national development, a dual responsibility of government officials; appointed, elected and civil servants, as well as genuine efforts by citizens to join efforts with governments to grow state and national economies, development infrastructure, secure life and property, and at the same time save lives through multifaceted strategies which includes quality health care systems, social health insurance schemes and safety on our roads.
The emphasis here is “safety on our roads” which to a large extent is the core responsibility of the federal government through the Federal Roads Safety Corps, FRSC. The agency has been working very hard to minimise accidents on our roads across the country, and it is therefore the duty of governments and corporate bodies to assist it to achieve substantial results for the country.
It is a well known fact that the governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is an unrepentant crusader of “Project Nigeria,” in words and in actions, and it is therefore not surprising to see his total commitments in partnering with the federal government in the area of human capital, socioeconomic and infrastructure development.
The state government under governor Okowa, received accolades from the Military, NSDC, the Nigerian Police, FRSC and other federal institutions and agencies for providing the enabling environment as well as funding enduring infrastructure and logistics for their successful operations in the state from 2015 and still counting.
The Okowa administration strongly believe that the business of nation building is a collective responsibility and Delta State stands out as a genuine partner of the federal government in nation building under the toga of “Project Nigeria.”
It is therefore reasonable to give governor Okowa, a pat on his back for assisting the FRSC, a federal government agency; to build, furnish and equip the ultra modern FRSC Marshall Inspectorate Training School, situated at Owa-Alero in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, while commissioning the Institute on Thursday, 6th May, 2021, described Delta state as FG cherished partner in “Project Nigeria,” noting that safety on our roads will continue to be a major priority for both States and federal governments, and that the presidency deeply appreciate governor Okowa and this administration for funding the FRSC Marshal Inspectorate Training School project to fruition, in the state.
The school is specifically for the training of noncommissioned officers, and has administrative block, auditorium, lecture rooms, male and female hostels, residential apartments, cafeteria, clinic, driving range and a football field. This all important project started in 2019, upon request by FRSC, and the promise keeper governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, ensured that the contractors delivered on time, and according to the quality and standard specified in the contractual agreement.
The federal government commended Delta State Government for building the training institute for the federal agency and called on other states to emulate Delta in human capacity and infrastructure development.
In the words of the erudite professor of Law and Vice President of Nigeria, “The development of the country depends, to a very large extent, on this type of cooperation between states and the Federal Government.
“The greater the co-operation between states and the Federal Government, the greater the development that Nigerians will witness will be. This far-sighted contribution of the Delta State Government is worthy of all commendation and it’s an excellent example of the collaboration between state and the Federal government.
“The ultimate beneficiaries of the project are the people of Delta and of course, the country at large. I must encourage all other states to emulate what Delta has done and exemplify this spirit of cooperation for development.
“Road safety is a collective responsibility and that is what the government of Delta has demonstrated today. The Federal Government will continue to support organisations that demonstrate commitment to their statutory duties. Let me again appreciate the Delta state government for the huge financial resource invested in this project,’’ VP Osinbajo said.
In the same vein, the Platinum governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa posited that a well-trained road safety marshal would impact positively on road safety standards and safe-driving practices in the state and the country, and disclosed that his administration had completed 483 road projects across the state, including the riverside areas.
“In 2019, the FRSC intimated me of their plan to establish a Marshal Inspectorate Training School (for non-commissioned officers) in Delta State on the condition that the state government will provide a safe, functional and adequate campus for its take-off.
“We knew the project would stretch our already limited resources but we were also confident that in the final analysis the benefits of locating the school in our state far outweighed the costs.
“It is also our pride that through this project, the Delta State Government is able to contribute in a significant way to the overall improvement of road safety in Nigeria.
“Our administration will continue to avail itself of any opportunity to improve road and physical infrastructure, grow the local economy, especially the informal sector, create employment opportunities and advance the general well-being of our people, while contributing our quota towards the advancement of “Project Nigeria’,” Okowa stated.
Corps Marshall and Chief Executive Officer of FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, was full of gratitude for Delta State Government for building and handing over of the training school to the corps. He said that the successful inauguration of the training institute would add value to human capital development in the Corps.
On his part, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, said that the place of education as the path of dignity and mental erudition could not be over-emphasized.
He described Gov. Okowa as a partner in national development and called on politicians to live in conviviality as the nation could only grow when leaders worked together in the interest of the nation.
“It is only education that can liberate the country and we will support you to ensure that Nigeria remains one; it will not break up in our time,” the monarch stated.