By Anne Azuka
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas representing Delta South Senatorial District at the National Assembly has expressed worry that successive federal governments have denied his constituents infrastructural development, human capital development, and inclusiveness in governance.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo stated this at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State while delivering a keynote address during a Strategic Leadership Retreat organised for his legislative aides.
According to him, Delta South Senatorial District is one of the largest producers of crude oil and gas in the country, yet past federal administrations have shown little or no interest in the development of the area and the empowerment of the people.
“Whenever I think about what Delta South is contributing in terms of crude oil production and look at the deprivation that our people are subjected to, my heart bleeds. Delta South Senatorial District gives her all for this country, but successive governments have been largely unfair to us.
“There is hardly the presence of government in Delta South, and this is really alarming. The pollution we experience, the environmental degradation, the lack of infrastructural and human capital development, the little or no inclusivity in governance, etc., are all indicators showing how unfair governments have been to us for contributing so much,” he lamented.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo, however, expressed confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the President can and will change the ugly narrative.
“However, I have strong confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he shall do his best to salvage Delta South. I trust the President that he shall look at critical issues affecting our Senatorial District, such as environmental pollution and degradation, erosion and flooding, lack of development, poor inclusiveness in government, as well as empowerment of our people,” Joel-Onowakpo said.
While inaugurating over 180 Legislative Aides that he has appointed, the Senator said, “As you are aware, the office of a Senator is officially entitled to only five Aides. However, I have gone a step further to make over 180 appointments simply to accommodate all interests and to ensure that the people of Delta South get the best from my representation.
” This is a huge burden on me, but I have no option than to accommodate our people until government looks our way”, Senator stressed.
He urged the legislative aides to make good use of the office to change their political fortune by working effectively to serve Delta South Constituents.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of appointment letters to all the Legislative Aides by the Senator.
Speaking on behalf of the Aides, the Senior Legislative Aide, Raymos Guanah expressed appreciation to Senator Joel-Onowakpo for giving them the opportunity to serve.
Guanah pointed out that the Senator has set an unbeatable record with the appointment, remarking, “This is the first time this is happening in our Senatorial District since our return to democracy in 1999. We shall not take this opportunity for granted.”
The Legislative Aides promised to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Senator.
They also pledged to support the Senator in his efforts to attract development to Delta South Senatorial District.
The event was attended by prominent leaders and stakeholders from the Senatorial District, who came to show their support for the Senator and the newly appointed Legislative Aides.
