Osinbajo’s visit restored peace to Niger Delta —Okowa

THE recent tour of the Niger Delta by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is largely responsible for the peace now being enjoyed in the region, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has observed.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with the Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, he said he had come to express appreciation to Osinbajo over the visit.

He also praised the federal government over the Maritime University which he is hoping could take off in October this year.

Okowa said: “If you find out, in the past few months, there has been peace in Delta State. So, I wanted to appreciate his visit to Delta state because that definitely helped us in the peace process

“And just yesterday (Friday), the bill for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, passed third reading at the Senate. That is definitely a very strong plus for us.

“We are also aware that a committee has been set up led by the Minister of Education. My Deputy Governor is part of the committee, to work out the processes to enable the Maritime University take off in October.

“It’s a step in the right direction so I came to appreciate him and to discuss some other issues with him.”

Okowa observed that efforts would continue to consolidate the peace in the Niger Delta.

He added: “Definitely is very peaceful and we will continue to consolidate on the peace.”

On the progress being made on the establishment of modular refineries, he was hopeful that the initiative would soon be a reality.

He said: “I think the processes are being put in place. You realise that the President has talked a lot about it and I believe the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the NNPC have been working in that direction.

“You know, it is not something that you can just bring up all in one day or in one month.

“I believe that the processes are being put in place to ensure that we have some of them in some of our communities in the creeks and in the Niger Delta generally.”