2023: Riverine Communities urge Okowa, Oborevwori to establish CADA to get more votes

The Delta State Riverine Communities on Monday urged Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Delta State PDP Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to consider the establishment of the proposed Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA, to get massive votes from the riverine areas of the State.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Spokesperson of group, Hon Friday Egberike which a copy was sent to Congress correspondent on Monday night.

Stakeholders who spoke under the auspices of Coastal Communities for Development, (CCD) gave the charge in Burutu, headquarters of Burutu LGA of the State on Monday January 16, 2023.

While speaking with newsmen on the importance of infrastructural development of riverine/coastal communities ahead of the 2023 general elections, with special focus on Delta State, stakeholders said the agency when created would help addressing developmental challenges among riverine communities in the state.

According to the group, the Bill for the establishment of CADA is not new to both the Delta State Governor and the Speaker, adding that the Bill had been submitted and re-submitted before Dr. Okowa and Hon. Oborevwori by a renowned Delta born development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, National Coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, a foremost non- governmental organization, NGO, in a letter addressed to them personally, and to the State House of Assembly on several occasions.

While further emphasizing the role and importance of the Bill to coastal communities in the state, CCD said CADA when established, would bring real expansion, infrastructural, economic, human capital, educational, health and mental development to riverine dwellers in Delta State, irrespective of their ethnic differences.

The group urged Dr. Okowa to direct the Honourable Speaker, Hon. Oborevwori and other members as a matter of urgency, to consider and give speedy passage to the establishment of the Delta State Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA.

The statement reads, “This gesture will give us sense of belonging under the current administration ahead of the general elections slated for Saturday, February 25, and subsequent elections in 2023, if they wish to get bulk votes from the riverine communities of the State”.

Egberike explained that CADA, when established would address environmental, ecological, human capital, infrastructural, educational and health needs of the coastal communities of Delta State.

CCD, maintained that about 50% of Delta State voters live in the riverine areas of the State, and their mandate is for only the candidate who is ready to establish CADA and or would sign concrete social contract for the establishment of CADA for riverine development.

The group also called on all Riverine communities in the state especially the Ijaws and Itsekiris not to be carried-away by political deceit of politicians claiming to bring development to the area, stating that the government of the state should establish a development agency for the sustainable development of this areas of perculiar needs.

According to the spokesman, if CADA is established before the 2023 general elections, it would give the riverine people a real sense of belonging and that would stimulate support and massive votes Okowa and Oborevwori.

He further said the massive votes would equally go for any political party that would include the establishment of CADA in their manifesto in the forthcoming elections both at the State and National levels.