By FIDELIS EGUGBO

THE efforts of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State to build a state that will not be solely dependent on revenue from oil through the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ initiative is yielding results in different areas.

Transportation is a key element for a buoyant economy and Governor Uduaghan’s administration has recorded successes in that sector.  From road construction to the construction of multi-billion naira state of the art airport, to the provision of vehicles, tricycles and boats at subsidized rates to transporters to reduce transport fares.

The efforts of the administration towards creating a buoyant economy have not gone unnoticed as the Federal Government has approved the construction of Agro-Cargo section for the Asaba International Airport to cater for the export of agricultural products and business.  It is worthy to state here that Governor Uduaghan’s administration, through the award-winning micro-credit and farmers support programmes, has empowered many Deltans to go into agriculture and as such, the approval of the agro-cargo section would be fully utilized by Deltans in particular and other neighbouring states where their farmers are doing well.

Governor Uduaghan, in a phone-in programme on the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, said the agro-cargo section would enable the export of agricultural products from South-South and South-East regions of the country to countries where they are needed.

“The Federal Government will also develop a green area behind the cargo terminal where it will grow vegetables all year round for export from the airport. This will encourage local farmers to increase their yields and export to viable markets abroad as well as improve the economy of the nation and the state in particular”, the Governor said.

During the week the Governor commissioned 130 speed boats to boost water transportation in the state.  The boats, according to the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Ibakpa, were fully covered with reinforced fiberglass each fitted with twin – 85 hp and 11 hp Yamaha outboard engines to provide safe, comfortable and fast means of movement of goods and passengers across the riverine communities of the state.

Speaking at the commissioning of the boats, Governor Uduaghan noted that the distribution of the boats to reputed operators would boost water transportation noting that his administration has done a lot in the areas of providing buses, taxis and tricycles popularly known as Keke to ease transportation challenges for the people of the state.  The Governor disclosed that the boats were manufactured in Nigeria, but the engines, which are environment-friendly, were imported from a reputable company.  He charged those who will make use of the boats to ensure that they are strictly used for the movement of passengers.

According to him, “those who are to manage these boats should use them strictly as passenger’s boats for our people in the riverine communities.”  The warning was necessary so that the aim of providing such boats (facilitating the movement of people in the riverine communities) would not be defeated.

With these achievements recorded in the transport sector, one can comfortably reiterate that every part of the state is taken into consideration by Governor Uduaghan’s administration in his bid to ensure an economy that will not depend on revenue from oil for its sustenance in the nearest future.